Electrical transport properties of the composite of multiwall carbon nanotube-polypyrrole-polyvinyl alcohol below room temperature

We have investigated electrical transport properties of the composite of multiwall carbon nanotubes–polypyrrole–polyvinyl alcohol. Samples are prepared in an in situ chemical oxidative method and they are characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope to understand their structure and morphology, respectively. Mechanism of electrical transport is done below room temperature (77–300 K) in presence and absence of magnetic field up to 1 T. Samples are following both one dimensional Mott's variable range hopping and tunneling theory. Forward interference model is used to explain the mechanism of magnetic field dependent conductivity. The real part of AC conductivity follows universal dielectric response σ′ (f) ∞ fS. The universal dielectric response parameter s varies with temperature according to correlated barrier hopping model. The variation of real part of complex impedance with frequency can be described in terms of Maxwell Wagner effect. The positive variation of AC conductivity can be explained in terms of grain and grain boundary contribution of the samples. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers