Synthesis and in situ doping of highly conductive polypyrrole nanocomplexes with binary acids

The synthesis of doped polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomplexes and their size, morphology, doping level, and electrical conductivity are discussed. The synthetic route of doped PPy nanocomplexes is presented by means of the chemical oxidative polymerization and in situ doping process in the presence of a binary acid mixture (hydrochloric acid and perchloric acid). The electrical conductivities of the doped PPy nanocomplexes are enhanced from 0.88 to 4.5 S/cm by the optimum molar ratio of HClO₄ and HCl in the binary acid mixture. In addition, the average particle size of the doped PPy nanocomplexes decreases from 280 to 30 nm with a narrow particle size distribution when increasing the proportion of HClO₄ relative to HCl in the binary acid mixture; this result is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and capillary hydrodynamic fractionation instrument analyses. Moreover, at different molar ratios in the binary acid mixture, the zeta-potential and oxidation level of the doped PPy nanocomplexes have a confirmed association with particle size and electrical properties.