Abstract

Conducting polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized by chemical polymerization method. The synthesized PPy was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and its conductivity was measured by a resistometer. Then, PPy was incorporated into high density polyethylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites. PPy concentration varied in the range of 5 to 20% by weight in nanocomposites using melt mixing follow by compression molding. The effect of PPy concentration on thermal and electrical properties of nanocomposites was investigated. The results of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) show that incorporation of PPy in nanocomposite improves the thermal stability. Two probe conductivity measurements have indicated that raising the amount of PPy increases the conductivity of nanocomposites.

Key words: Conducting polymer, polypyrrole, high density polyethylene, montmorillonite.