PREPARATION OF POLYPYRROLE POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITE FILMS BY THE VAPOR-PHASE OXIDATIVE POLYMERIZATION OF PYRROLE/

Electrically conductive polypyrrole/polyethylene composite films were prepared by the vapor-phase polymerization of pyrrole on porous polyet hylene films containing FeCl3 or Fe(ClO4)(3) as oxidants. The conducti vity of the composite films increased by lowering polymerization tempe rature. The conductivity of the composite films was also a strong func tion of the oxidation potential of oxidant solutions which were impreg nated into the polyethylene films prior to the polymerization of pyrro le. Maximum conductivity was obtained using short chain alcohols as so lvents. It was found that the composite films have excellent mechanica l properties compared to polypyrrole.