Development of Transparent Flexible Conducting Thin Films by In-Situ Dispersion Polymerization of Pyrrole (DBSA) in Pre-Vulcanized NR Latex

Abstract

Polypyrrole (PPy) is a promising intrinsically conducting polymer with high electrical conductivity, good environmental stability, and rather easy synthesis. However the formation of conjugated sequences on their backbone makes them highly rigid and hence nonprocessable. This study reports the dispersion polymerization of pyrrole precursor within the prevulcanized NR latex forming a conductive interpenetrated polymer network (IPN). Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) acts simultaneously as a surfactant for forming a stable colloidal solution of latex and as a dopant for PPy chain so as to make it conductive. The UV/VIS and Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) spectra indicate the formation of PPy conjugated segments within the matrix polymer. The DC conductivity measurements record an increase in conductivity with an increase in PPy content in the matrix polymer. The swelling measurements for the composite films show an increase in crosslink density, which indicates a better reinforcement of the matrix. The mechanical characteristics of the resultant composite films justify this domino effect. The composite films have the potential to be used as an emissive layer in various optoelectronic devices such as light emitting diodes and plastic photovoltaic devices.

Keywords:

• Conductivity
• Conjugation
• Dispersion
• Dodecylbenzenesulfonicacid (DBSA)
• Dopant
• Hopping
• In-situ
• Mechanical properties
• Polarons
• Polymerization
• Polypyrrole
• Pre-vulcanized NR latex
• Solubility
• Swelling
• Transparency