Characterization and transport properties of intercalated polypyrrole-vanadium pentoxide xerogel nanocomposite

Layered vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) xerogel is used as host material for the synthesis of conducting polypyrrole intercalated nanocomposites. Powder X-ray diffraction spectra show the increase of interlayer space of V₂O₅ xerogel indicating the formation of polypyrrole in the interlayer space of the host. Thermal stability of intercalated polypyrrole is superior compared to bulk polypyrrole. Dc conductivity of the xerogel follows Arrhenius type temperature dependence while the nanocomposites exhibit Mott's three-dimensional variable range hopping. Optical band gap decreases with intercalation of polypyrrole.