SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPLETELY SOLUBLE POLYPYROLE SALTS VIA INVERSE EMULSION POLYMERIZATION USING A MIXTURE OF CHLOROFORM AND 2- BUTANOL AS A DISPERSING MEDIUM

Abstract

Polypyrole (PPy) is one of the most promising candidates for possible technological applications. However, its insolubility in common organic solvents limits its range of applications. In the present study an attempt has been made to synthesize soluble polypyrole salt via inverse polymerization pathway using benzoyl peroxide as oxidant and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) as dopant as well as a surfactant. A mixture of chloroform and 2-butanol was used as dispersion medium for the first time for the synthesis of polypyrole. The influence of synthesis parameters such as concentration of pyrrole, benzoyl peroxide and DBSA on the yield and other properties of the resulting PPy salt was studied. The synthesized PPy salt was found to be completely soluble in DMSO, DMF, m-cresol, chloroform and in a mixture of toluene and 2-propanol. The synthesized polymer salt was also characterized with SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy and TGA. The extent of doping of the PPy salt was determined from UV-Vis spectra. The activation energy for the degradation of the polymer was calculated with the help of TGA.