Stability and particle size of polypyrrole dispersion using sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate as surfactant

Abstract Polypyrrole (PPy) dispersion was prepared using FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O as oxidant in the presence of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) as surfactant. The formation of the micelles and the electrostatic interaction between PPy and SDBS were considered the driving forces for the formation and stability of the dispersion. UV/Vis/NIR, FTIR spectra and SEM images were studied to confirm the structure and morphology of the PPy dispersion, respectively. Polymerization of pyrrole under different preparation conditions including the concentration of the surfactant, the pyrrole monomer and the oxidant and also the addition of acid were carried out in order to investigate their effects on the stability and average particle size of the dispersions. The conductivity of the resulting PPy particles was measured and a comparison between the PPy and polyaniline dispersion formed with SDBS as surfactant was also given.