PREPARATION OF POLYPYRROLE POLYURETHANE COMPOSITE FOAM BY VAPOR-PHASEOXIDATIVE POLYMERIZATION

Conductive polypyrrole-polyurethane composite foam was prepared by vap or phase polymerization of pyrrole on polyurethane foam using mixtures of FeCl2 and FeCl3 as oxidants. With increase in the FeCl2/FeCl3 rati o, the conductivity of the composite foam increased in spite of the de crease in polypyrrole content in the composite foam. Both conductivity and polypyrrole content increased with increase in the oxidant conten t in polyurethane. The conductivity of the composite foam is also a fu nction of reaction temperature, and lower reaction temperatures were p referable for higher conductivity. The composite foam exhibited tensil e strength and elongation comparable to those of pristine polyurethane foam. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.