Synthesis and characterization of surface-aminated polypyrrole-silica nanocomposites

Two synthetic routes to surface-aminated polypyrrole-silica nanocomposite p articles have been investigated. Route 1 involved the initial synthesis of homopolypyrrole-silica particles as described previously, followed by surfa ce amination using 3-aminopropyltriethoxy-silane. In Route 2 aminated polyp yrrole-silica particles were synthesized directly by copolymerising an N-su bstituted aminopyrrole comnonomer with pyrrole in the presence of an ultraf ine silica sol. Both types of aminated particles were characterized in term s of their particle size and morphology, long-term colloid stability and de gree of amination using transmission electron microscopy, disc centrifuge p hotosedimentometry and zeta potential measurements, respectively.