Facile synthesis of highly conductive PPy/graphene nanosheet /Gd3+ composites:

Highly conductive PPy/graphene nanosheet and PPy/graphene nanosheet/Gd3+ composites were prepared via in-situ polymerization with p-toluenesulfonic acid as a dopant and FeCl3 as an oxidant. The effects of graphene nanosheet obtained by two different synthetic methods and Gd3+ on the electrical conductivity of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the graphene nanosheet as a filler had an effect on the conductivity of PPy/graphene nanosheet similar to PPy/graphene nanosheet/Gd3+ composites, which played an important role in forming a conducting network in PPy matrix. Thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrated an improved thermal stability of PPy in the PPy/graphene nanosheet/Gd3+ composites. The microstructures of PPy/graphene nanosheet/Gd3+ were characterized by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope examinations.