Polypyrrole Grown At The Surface Of Sulfonated Polyethylene Films - Electrical-Conductivity And Stability

New data on the electrical conductivity of polypyrrole (PPy) grown at the surface of sulfonated polyethylene (SPE) thin films and its stability in air are presented. The influence of the sulfonation degree of PPy-SPE samples and that of pyrrole polymerization time on conductivity levels have been investigated. It is shown that the conductivity derived using the thickness of the conductive surface layer from infrared transmission spectra of PPy-SPE films allows a convenient definition of the percolation transition observed for the electrical conductivity in these materials. The level of electrical stability of PPy involving sulfonic groups is discussed in the light of conductivity data for PPy containing other different counterions.