Stability of chemically synthesized conducting polypyrrole-halogen complexes in acidic and basic solutions and organic solvents

Abstract

Treatment of chemically synthesized polypyrrole (PPY)-halogen complexes with NaOH, H2SO4 and organic solvents shows that NaOH has a drastic effect on the electrical conductivity and weight loss. This results from the loss of halogen and hydrogen from the complex. In H2SO4, there is replacement of the halogen anions by the sulphate anions resulting in a smaller decrease in conductivity and weight. Of the common organic solvents tested, PPY-halogen complexes are slightly soluble in dimethyl sulphoxide.