Abstract
In this manuscript, ternary hybrid composites (PMG) have been synthesized via combination of polypyrrole (PPy), Mn-Zn ferrite (MZF) and graphite oxide (GO) components. The MZF was synthesized via acid leaching process of spent Zn-C batteries and green auto-combustion processes using different fuels. The in-situ polymerization process was then used to prepare the entire composites. XRD of ternary hybrids showed only broad peak characteristic of PPy without any indication for the MZF or GO suggesting the inclusion of MZF and GO into PPy matrix. In addition, the TEM images and EDS analysis exhibited that both MZF particles and GO layers are embedded and completely coated with PPy layers. FT-IR spectra of PMG composites indicated only identical bands to that of pure PPy. The very weak magnetic characters obtained using VSM further confirming the core-shell structure. TG curve of PMG ternary composite showed weight loss agrees well with the loss of all PPy and GO contents and confirms the weight ratio of MZF. It also showed that, the thermal stability of PPy was reduced by including in this entire composite attributed to the formed core-shell structure. An appropriate mechanism for the ternary hybrid composites formation was suggested and discussed. The electrical measurements exhibited constant behavior of conductivity by increasing temperature up to 420 K at which the dehydration and skeletal chain decomposition of both GO and PPy initiate. The GO does not greatly affected the conductivity due to the complete coating phenomena besides the pronouncing of PPy conductivity. Generally, the conductivities for all PMG composites are slightly dependent on the MZF preparation method and improved than that of pure PPy attributed to the presence of GO.