Morphology and properties of polypyrrole/cyclodextrin nanowires using molecular templates

PPy/CDs nanowires were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of cyclodextrins as molecular template material. PPy/α-CD displays individually addressable micrometer-long wires that are ca. 200 nm in width. α-CD is the best option as template for preparing PPy/CD nanowire material. The FT-IR spectra and wide-angle X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the pyrrole–cyclodextrin (Py-CD) inclusions are presented in the polypyrrole (PPy) chains. The elemental analysis suggests that the molar ratio of α-CD to pyrrole is 1:5 and β-CD to pyrrole is 1:24. Owing to the discontinuous presence of Py-CD inclusions, the conductive behavior, morphology, and thermal stability of the polypseudorotaxanes are greatly different from the pure PPy.