Synthesis, Characterization and Electrical Conductivity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Embedded in Polythiophene Nanocomposites

Polythiophene/ZnO (PTh/ZnO) nanocomposites composed of conducting polymer PTh were prepared by chemical polymerization of thiophene monomer using FeCl3 as an oxidant and ZnO nanoparticles by reverse micellar method. The nanocomposites were also characterized using FTIR, SEM, TEM, and XRD. It was found that the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites first increased conductivity of the nanocomposite first increased but later on decreased as the temperature increased. Electrical conductivity of nanocomposite containing polymer matrices and zinc oxide nanoparticles showed good stability in terms of electrical conductivity retention up to 110 � C. Scanning electron micrographs showed globular particles and the presence of clusters of composite particles. Transmission electron micrographic (TEM) analyses revealed the particle size of the composite to be in the range 22–17 nm. Thermal analyses (TG/DTA) revealed the outstanding stability of PTP–ZnO composites compared to PTP. The conductivity of PTP and of PTP–ZnO composite was of the order of 10 −4 –10 −2 Sc m −1 .