POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLAMIDE AND METHYLMETHACRYLATE AT THE SURFACE OF SUBMICRON POLYPYRROLE PARTICLES

This paper presents two methods of encapsulation of polypyrrole latex particles of different sizes by an insulating polymer. The first method concerns the encapsulation by inverse emulsion polymerization of acrylamide with crosslinking agent. That method is effective for the smallest particles (about 100 nm). The second method concerns encapsulation by direct emulsion polymerization of methylmethacrylate. Inhibition of polymerization occurs if potassium persulfate is used as the initiator, whereas no inhibition is observed with 4,4' azobis 4-cyanopentanoic acid as the initiator. These results are explained in terms of the ion-exchange capacity of conducting polymers. This second method seems to be effective for all the sizes of polypyrrole particles. These encapsulated particles have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, quasi elastic light scattering, cyclic voltametry and electrophoresis. Cyclic voltammetry recently developed on aqueous suspensions of polypyrrole particles was revealed to be the best technique because of its simplicity and speed.