Synthesis and Characterization of (Polypyrrole-Ferrites) Nanocomposites for Multi-Applications

Abstract

Abstract This research concentrates on the preparation of polypyrrole nanofibers (PPy-NFs) polymer using chemical polymerization technique and the nanoparticles of (Co0.8-xZnxMn0.2Fe2O4) by co-precipitation technique followed by thermal treatment in a hydrothermal autoclave reactor where the values of (x) were within range (0-0.8) with (0.2) increment in each sample. Then the polypyrrole nanofibers were decorated with different ferrite nanoparticles to obtain (PPy-NFs/Ferrite nanoparticles) nanocomposite. The prepared materials were characterized via several techniques, including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field emission Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). (XRD) results demonstrated the amorphous character of polypyrrole and the single phase cubic spinel for the ferrite nanoparticles. The Crystallite size (D311) of the ferrite particles was within the range (8.54-14.47) nm. Also, (FESEM) images revealed that polypyrrole has polymerized in form of a 1D nanofibers net. Also, ferrite nanoparticles are spherical with little change in particle size distribution. (FTIR) of ferrite nanoparticles revealed two distinct absorption bands belonging to the tetrahedral places and octahedral places, respectively. In addition to it exhibited fabulous coherence between polypyrrole (PPy-NFs) and Ferrite nanoparticles. This indicates for the infallible fabrication of nanocomposites. The optical characteristics of the samples had also examined, and it has been noted that the value of the energy gap and absorbance behavior change with the change in the addition ratios and ferrite content. The magnetic measurements were made at room temperature showed that the prepared samples have definite magnetic properties. It was also observed that the values of the saturation magnetization altered through the cobalt content change in the composition. It recorded highest value at (x=0) for (Co0.8-xZnxMn0.2Fe2O4), then it gradually decreases with the decrease in the cobalt content. The prepared nanocomposite had been used to enhance the photodetector sensitivity. The highest photosensitivity for each of polypyrrole (PPy-NFs) was up to (43.42%) and ferrite nanoparticles was (81.47%) at (x=0.8). While Nanocomposite sample for (PPy-NFs/Zn0.8Mn0.2Fe2O4) was (103.74%) for light with power of (30 mW) and wavelength of (405 nm). The rise and fall time were about (0.5 sec). The supercapacitors were prepared for polypyrrole, ferrite nanoparticles and nanocomposite samples in order to gain distinguish and periodically stable capacitances. The performance of samples had evaluated via CV, EIS as well GCD methods. The highest capacitance of the nanocomposite electrode for (PPy-NFs/Zn0.8Mn0.2Fe2O4) was equal (414.12 F/g) with scan rate (20mV/s). Finally, the response of the prepared samples was studied for ammonia gas sensing. It was found that ammonia gas sensing increase gradually with the raise of the zinc content in the pure ferrite nanoparticles samples and the PPy- NFs nanocomposite samples. It was noted that the largest response of ammonia gas at a temperature of (500C) for ferrite nanoparticles at (x=0.8) equals (679.01%) and the nanocomposite samples for (PPy- NFs/Zn0.8Mn0.2Fe2O4) was equal to (423.11%).