Present work deals with the synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy) with appreciable solubility and processability and the detailed structural, morphological, electrical and optical characterization of the polymer, obtained using chemical oxidative polymerization technique with ammonium persulfate (APS) as the oxidant. Various dopants such as di (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinic acid sodium salt (NaDEHS), dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaDBSA) are used to improve solubility of the polymer in different solvents. Studies are carried out on doped polypyrrole in powder and spin coated thin film forms. Elemental analysis and FTIR spectroscopy studies show that dopants are effectively integrated into the PPy structure. FESEM and TEM studies affirm the significant effect of the dopants in modifying the morphology of PPy structure, and the XRD studies reveal the significant degree of crystallinity achieved through doping. Appreciable extent of solubility and processability acquired through doping and the enhanced crystalline order and electrical conductivity brought about through doping make chemically synthesized, suitably doped polypyrrole a potential candidate for diverse technological applications.

Graphical abstract