Conductive Elastomeric Foams Prepared by In Situ Vapor Phase Polymerization of Pyrrol and Copolymerization of Pyrrole and N-Methylpyrrole

Yueping Fu
Robert Weiss, The University of Akron
Poh Poh Gan
Michael D. Bessette

Abstract

Electrically conductive elastomer foams were prepared by in situ vapor phase copolymerization of pyrrole and N-methylpyrrole within preformed polyurethane foams. The conductive polymer is formed within the dense polymer phase of the foam, and the conductivity of the composite foam ranged from 10⁻¹ to 10⁻⁷ S/cm. The conductvity depended on the density of the foam, the amount of conducting polymer incorporated, and the copolymer composition. Replacing with N-methylpyrrole in the copolymer lowered the conductivity.