In this study, we prepared a polypyrrole-diphenyl diselenide [PPy/(PhSe)2] nanocomposite by oxidative chemical polymerization for the purpose of temperature sensing applications. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning transmission electron microscopy confirmed the synthesis of the above material. Thermogravimetry (TG) revealed enhanced thermal stability as compared to pristine polypyrrole (PPy). Dielectric study showed the material to have a dielectric constant of colossal value. The material has been found to exhibit correlated barrier hopping conduction (CBH) wherein hopping of charge carriers takes place over the insulating (PhSe)2 barrier. The maximum barrier height was found to be 0.224 eV. The nanocomposite material was found to exhibit a switching-type positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behavior with a Curie temperature of 400 K. This has been explained by a CBH model wherein PPy chains expand upon heating, thereby reducing the barrier height to facilitate current flow. However, above 400 K, disruption of PPy chains allows to reflect a PTC behavior. This has been in agreement with TG data.
© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.