Synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole/TiO2 composites by chemical oxidative method

Abstract: Synthesis of polypyrrole and polypyrrole/TiO2 composites samples using chemical oxidative method at room temperature with various dopant percentages of TiO2. The samples were characterized by UV–vis spectrometer, Fourier transmittance infra red (FTIR) spectrometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and non linear optics (NLO) studies. Optical spectra reveal the absorbance band at 250nm represents the characteristic peak of TiO2 particles. The second band is shifted at 300nm with π–π* transition. FTIR confirms the presence of TiO2 in the molecular structure. The intensity of peaks found to be decreased with the increase of TiO2 content. A small band at 1699cm−1 and 1107cm−1 corresponds to Ti–O–C stretching mode in each case. This band indicates the formation of polypyrrole/TiO2 composites. XRD patterns reveal the samples were polycrystalline nature with tetragonal structure and (101) plane as preferential orientation. SEM studies reveal the formation of uniform granular morphology with average grain size of ∼0.4μm for (50%) TiO2 sample. NLO studies reveal that the polypyrrole and polypyrrole/TiO2 composites possess non-linear optical properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]