Low-frequency and temperature-dependent dielectric spectroscopy investigations on polypyrrole nanoparticles

Abstract

Polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles have been synthesized by chemical oxidation method in the presence of anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulphate). The prepared nanoparticles have a diameter of ~28 nm. The low-frequency and temperature-dependent dielectric properties of these nanoparticles have been studied in the temperature range of 77–350 K. Due to absence of the saturated loss peaks, modulus approach has been used for the further insight on the dielectric properties of prepared nanoparticles. The behaviour of the dielectric modulus suggests the Debye-type behaviour of the prepared nanoparticles, where the measured ac conductivity follows the classical hopping conduction mechanism.

Keywords:

• polypyrrole
• electrical conductivity
• dielectric properties

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Authors are thankful to Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India for financial support through project SR/S2/CMP-0099/2010. Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi, India, is gratefully acknowledged for financial assistance. Ishpal Rawal is grateful to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) during this work.