SYNTHESIS AND FABRICATION OF HIGH STRETCHABLE CONDUCTING POLYPYRROLE FILMS

Abstract

This paper presents highly stretchable conducting films composed of polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) (SEBS). The PPy was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization method with doping of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt. The synthesized PPy at different content was incorporated into SEBS matrix with an addition of mineral oil, and then the PPy/SEBS films were prepared in the solvent casting. The synthesis of PPy was confirmed by FT-IR and NMR measurements. SEM measurement showed a good PPy dispersion in SEBS due to presence of mineral oil. The PPy/SEBS films had excellent elongation in a tensile test, and the enhanced breaking stress was obtained with increasing PPy content. High electrical conductivity was obtained for the PPy/SEBS films and increased with increasing the PPy content. The highly stretchable conducting films in this study demonstrated good stress sensing ability and electroactive actuator behavior.