Temperature-Sensitive Composite Films: Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(vinyl acetate)/Polystyrene/Polypyrrole Ternary Composites

In this study, polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(vinyl acetate)/polystyrene/polypyrrole (PVAc/PS/PPy) ternary composites were synthesized by chemical polymerization using FeCl3 as an oxidant agent. Temperature-sensitive folding films of PVAc/PS/PPy ternary composites were prepared by casting on glass Petri dishes. The formation of polymer and ternary composites was supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electronic transitions of polymers were determined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The conductivities of polymers were measured by a four-probe technique and were found in the range of 10(-3) to 10(-4) S cm(-1). Morphological studies show that all composite films have a smooth surface. The root-mean-square (rms) roughness of all films is found to be in the range of 0.145-0.212 nm. The results of thermal gravimetric analysis show that incorporation of PPy in composites improves the thermal stability. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the amorphous nature of PPy and its ternary composites.