Nanocomposites of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and montmorillonite clay: synthesis and characterization

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/montmorillonite (MMT) clay nanocomposites were prepared for the first time, by exchanging exchangeable cations in the MMT interlayer with Ce(IV) followed by insertion of ethylenedioxythiophene monomer to result in spontaneous polymerization to give PEDOT—Ce(III)—MMT nanocomposites. The nanocomposites thus prepared were characterized by electrochemical methods, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and in situ conductivity measurements. Cyclic voltammograms of PEDOT—Ce(III)—MMT in 0.1 M H₂SO ₄ on glassy carbon electrode shows characteristics redox behavior that appear in Ce(IV)/Ce(III) and in Ce(IV)—MMTunder identical conditions together with typical electrochemical behavior of PEDOT. Further XRD results confirm that PEDOT has been intercalated within the MMT interlayer and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis implies that the organics are in their electronically conducting polymer form with significant electronic conductivity. As such, these nanocomposites may find applications in rechargeable batteries and photovoltaic devices as electrode materials and as antistatic coatings for electrical appliances.