Poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA) was grafted onto the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using radical polymerization to assist the dispersion of MWCNTs before the polymerization of pyrrole. MWCNT-g-PSSA exhibited a higher dispersity in ...
Poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA) was grafted onto the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using radical polymerization to assist the dispersion of MWCNTs before the polymerization of pyrrole. MWCNT-g-PSSA exhibited a higher dispersity in an aqueous solution compared with conventionally used carboxylated MWCNTs (c-MWCNTs), therefore, this composite acts as an excellent template for the high polymerization yield ofPolypyrrole (PPy). The measured polymerization yield was 95.5%, and its value was higher than that of PPy/c-MWCNT (61.8%). Consequently, the conductivity of the PPyIMWCNT-g-PSSA composite reached 124 S/cm, and this value was also higher than that of the PPy/c-MWCNT composite (48 S/cm) or PPylMWCNT doped with PSSA (91 S/cm). p-Toluenesulfonic acid (TSA)IHCI was selected as an additional dopant mixture to improve the electrical properties of the composite. As a result, the conductivity value of the composite improved to approximately 152 S/cm. The electrochemical and thermal stability were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and environmental stability testing. Overall, PPy/MWCNT-g-PSSA had good electrical and mechanical properties that are desired for materials of various electric devices.