In-situ polymerization of pyrrole in PVA-PVP matrix: Optimization of oxidant/monomer ratio and its effect on dielectric properties of polymer blend films

Abstract

Free standing and flexible polymer blend films of PPy (poly pyrrole) doped in PVA (poly vinyl alcohol) – PVP (poly vinyl pyrrolidone) matrix with varying concentrations of PPy have been prepared by solution cast technique at room temperature. In-situ polymerization of pyrrole monomer (Py) in PVA-PVP matrix has been carried out using FeCl3 as oxidant. The effect of monomer amount and monomer to oxidant ratio on the dielectric parameters (such as dielectric constant, dielectric loss, loss tangent, ac conductivity, complex electric modulus, complex impedance) of PPy doped PVA-PVP polymer blend films have been studied in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 2 MHz. Two different molar concentrations (0.15 M and 0.30 M) of oxidants have been taken and for each oxidant concentration, four varying concentrations of monomer have been used to optimize the results. The blend films having oxidant to monomer molar concentration ratio of 0.5 in both the cases (i.e. 0.15 M and 0.30 M) have been found to be smooth, flexible, mechanically strong and easy to process. These films have shown very systematic change and improved values of dielectric parameters within the experimental frequency range. Enhanced dielectric parameters (complex permittivity, ac conductivity and electric modulus) values for films having oxidant to monomer molar ratio of 0.5 suggest the organized growth of PPy chain in the matrix of PVA-PVP.