Properties and performance of polypyrrole (PPy)-coated silk fibers |
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Authors: | Alessandra Boschi Cristina Arosio Ilaria Cucchi Fabio Bertini Marinella Catellani Giuliano Freddi |
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Institution: | (1) CNR-ISMAC, Institute for Macromolecular Studies, 20133 Milan, Italy;(2) Silk Research Institute, 20133 Milan, Italy |
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Abstract: | Different silk substrates in form of spun silk tops, nonwoven web, yarn, and fabric were coated with electrically conducting
doped polypyrrole (PPy) by in situ oxidative polymerization from an aqueous solution of pyrrole (Py) at room temperature using FeCl3 as catalyst. PPy-coated silk materials were characterized by optical (OM) and scanning electron (SEM) microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy,
and thermal analysis (DSC, TG). OM and SEM showed that PPy completely coated the surface of individual silk fibers and that
the polymerization process occurred only at the fiber surface and not in the bulk. Dendrite-like aggregates of PPy adhered
to the fiber surface, with the exception of the sample first polymerized in the form of tops and then spun into yarn using
conventional industrial machines. FT-IR (ATR mode) showed a mixed spectral pattern with bands typical of silk and PPy overlapping
over the entire wavenumbers range. DSC and TG showed that PPy-coated silk fibers attained a significantly higher thermal stability
owing to the protective effect of the PPy layer against thermal degradation. The mechanical properties of silk fibers remained
unchanged upon polymerization of Py. The different PPy-coated silk materials displayed excellent electrical properties. After
exposition to atmospheric oxygen for two years a residual conductivity of 10–20 % was recorded. The conductivity decreased
sharply under the conditions of domestic washing with water, while it remained essentially unchanged upon dry cleaning. Abrasion
tests caused a limited increase of resistance. PPy-coated silk tops were successfully spun into yarn either pure or in blend
with untreated silk fibers. The resulting yarns maintained good electrical properties. |
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Keywords: | Silk Polypyrrole Composite Conductive textile |
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