Metallic-Based Nanocomposites of Conductive Polymers

Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria 

Nanostructured Conductive Polymers 2010 John Wiley Sons, Ltd 

Metallic-particle-based CP nanocomposites arc explored in view of a great variety of applications, including electrocatalysis, electroanalytics, soisorics, corrositm protection etc. The discussion in this chapter concerning apphcati( is will address the relationship between synthetic conditions and mainly electrocatalytic and electroanalytic performance, without going into the specifie topic of mechanisms of electrochemical reactitMis. The latter research area (see e.g. [9]) requires extensive presentation and remains outside the seope of this overview. 

Finally, this ehapter aims to present a snapshot of the state of the art by extensively covering the otherwise widely spread literature on metallic-based CP nanocomposites (including microcomposites that are at the nanocoscale limit). This attempt is launched with the hope that not much work has been left unnoticed. 

2 Oxidative Polymerization Combined with Metal-lon Reduction (One-Pot Synthesis) 

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Nanocomposites of conducting polymers exhibit improved physicochemical and biological properties as compared to their individual counterparts. The integration of secondary component within conducting polymer leads to dramatic increase in different properties that are useful from an application point of view. Size, shape and controlled distribution of the dispersed phase are the critical factors to control the desired properties of a nanocomposite. Different approaches such as in situ synthesis, one-pot synthesis, electrochemical polymerization and vapor-phase polymerization have been employed to synthesize the nanocomposites of conducting polymers with metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based materials, ternary nanocomposites, etc. All of these methods have certain advantages and drawbacks. Functional nanocomposites synthesized by these methods display many... 

This chapter presents an overview of synthesis of conducting polymer-based hybrid nanocomposites with their properties and applications in different fields mainly emphasizing on PPy based materials. Band stmcture of PPy with various synthesis process of PPy based nanostmctures and nanocomposites have been highlighted. Different approaches involving incorporation of metal or metal oxide nanoparticles and carbon-based nanostmctures within conducting polymer matrix... 

Incorporation of an inorganic secondary component into the matrix of conducting polymers is a useful approach to improve the functionality of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites. Nanoparticles of metal or metal oxide and other nanostructures such as graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNT) are used as dispersoid within conducting polymer matrix depending on the requirements. The shape, size, aspect ratio and the interfacial adhesion between the matrix and dispersoid affect the properties of the hybrid nanocomposites [28]. The synthesis, properties, and applications of different conducting polymer-based hybrid nanocomposites are discussed below. 

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