Conducting polymer–clay composites for electrochemical applications

Abstract

Pyrrole can be polymerized within montmorillonite clays via chemical means utilizing Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ as the oxidizing species. The resultant composite has properties of both the conducting polymer and the host material. Vibrational spectroscopy, thermal analysis and conductivity data all indicate that polypyrrole is present in the interlayer region of the clays utilized. Electrochemically, the conducting polymer–clay composite shows promise for both sensor and electrolysis applications.