Preparation and Characterization of Polypyrrole/TiO2 Coaxial Nanocables

Summary: We demonstrate in this communication that large‐scale coaxial nanocables of polypyrrole (PPy)/TiO₂ can be obtained via three steps: (1) synthesis of TiO₂ nanofibers by electrospinning; (2) physical adsorption Fe³⁺ oxidant on the surface of TiO₂ nanofibers; (3) followed by polymerization of pyrrole (from vapor) on the surface of TiO₂ nanofibers. During the synthesis, the PPy formed on TiO₂ nanofibers as a template and formed PPy/TiO₂ coaxial nanocables. TEM image proved that PPy (20 nm thickness) covered the surface of TiO₂ nanofibers. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and X‐ray diffraction patterns (XRD) characterized the chemical structure of the coaxial nanocables. Surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) revealed the surface properties of the PPy/TiO₂ coaxial nanocables.

TEM image of individual PPy/TiO₂ coaxial nanocable.