Structural and Optical Studies of Polypyrrole Nanostructures

The objective of the present study is to synthesize polypyrrole (PPY) samples of nanodimensions differing in their particle size and morphology and to study the influence on the physical properties or on the optical properties. These different nanodimensional polypyrrole samples are obtained by changing the reaction time of the interfacial polymerization reaction. Scanning electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy are used to study the morphology of the obtained PPY samples. The images show one dimensional ribbon like structures of polypyrrole in nanodimensions when reaction is conducted for a short duration of time. As the time interval increase there is tendency of the polymer to acquire granular shape. An investigative infrared study in the mid IR region is conducted and the morphological characteristics of all the samples are correlated with their spectral properties and crystalline nature (using X-ray diffraction). A comparative study with the bulk polymer synthesized using standard procedure is also undertaken. Noticeable differences in the spectral profile, band shapes and band positions of the nanomaterials synthesized at different time intervals, and the bulk material are observed.