One-step synthesis of conductive ceria/polypyrrole nanocomposite particles via photo-induced polymerization method

Inorganic-organic nanocomposites of ceria/polypyrrole with core/shell morphology and median diameter about of 150 nm in single nanoparticles were synthesized by a novel one-step photo-polymerization method using cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate dissolved in acetonitrile and irradiation under UV wavelengths for 2 h. The photo-polymerization products were characterized using high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, particle size analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscope. Crystalline/amorphous structure was detected for the obtained core/shell nanoparticles via selected area electron diffraction pattern. Electrical conductivity of the nanoparticles was measured by four-probe technique.