In situ polymerization of polypyrrole on cotton fabrics as flexible electrothermal materials. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Juan; Pan, Wei; Guo, Zheng; Jiao, Shan Shan; Ping Yang, Ling
• Is Part Of: Journal of engineered fibers and fabrics. Volume 14(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: In situ polymerization -- polypyrrole -- cotton fabric -- flexible electrothermal materials; Nonwoven fabrics -- Periodicals; Fibers -- Periodicals; Fibers; Nonwoven fabrics; Periodicals; 677.6
• DOI: 10.1177/1558925019827447
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1558-9250

Abstract

Polypyrrole/cotton composites have substantial application potential in flexible heating devices due to their flexibility, high conductivity, and thermal stability. In this context, a series of flexible polypyrrole/cotton fabrics were intrinsically prepared using in situ polymerization process with the different Py/FeCl3 concentration ratios. To investigate their structural and morphological properties, thermal stability, tensile strength, conductivity, and heat-generating property, the composite fabrics were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis, mechanical properties, and resistivity measurements. The results showed that polypyrrole/cotton fabrics exhibited a low resistivity of 0.37 Ω cm. Temperature–time curve showed that temperature of the polypyrrole/cotton fabrics increased very quickly from room temperature to a steady-state maximum temperature of 168.3°C within 3 min at applied voltage of 5 V. Tensile strength of polypyrrole/cotton composites reached to 58 MPa, which far surpassed raw cotton fabrics. Therefore, polypyrrole/cotton fabrics have exhibited high electrical, thermal properties, and mechanical strength, which can be utilized as an ideal flexible heating element.