Interaction of chitosan with polypyrrole in the formation of hybrid biomaterials

Abstract

The chemical polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of chitosan has been used to form chitosan-polypyrrole hybrid biomaterials. The hybrids are black in color, indicative of the presence of polypyrrole. FTir, thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy verified the presence of chitosan in the hybrids and gave the expected concentration effect. However, FTir, solubility in water and electrical conductivity of the hybrids appear to be contrary to this trend. Hybrids at the opposite ends of the concentration gave similar solubility and electrical behavior while a maxima effect was found for the mid-concentration. © 1995.