Preparation of polypyrrole composites and the effect of volatile amines on their electrical properties

Abstract

Composites of polypyrrole were produced using thermoplastic binders, polypyrrole and a proprietary glass-fibre paper. The polypyrrole was chemically polymerized using iron(III) chloride in aqueous conditions. It was then finely ground and dip coated with a binder on to paper to produce a gas-sensitive resistor. The performance of such sensors was evaluated by measuring the resistance change that occurred during exposure to the headspace of a number of organic vapours and against a range of volatile amines in the concentration range 1–1000 ppm.