Synthesis and characterization of conducting copolymer nanofibrils of pyrrole and 3-methylthiophene using the template-synthesis method

Copolymer nanofibrils composed of pyrrole and 3-methylthiophene had been prepared by synthesizing the desired polymer within the pores of microporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template membrane. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the obtained copolymer nanofibrils had uniform and well-aligned array and its diameter and length can be controlled by changing the aspect ratios of the AAO membrane. The results of infrared (IR) spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elemental analysis indicated that both pyrrole and 3-methylthiophene were involved in the copolymer and pyrrle is the major component of the prepared copolymer nanofibrils. Finally, the uses of conductivity and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) proved that the electric conductivity and the thermal stability of copolymer nanofibrils are higher than individual homopolymers. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.