Facile fabrication of elastic conducting polypyrrole nanotube aerogels

Elastic conducting polypyrrole nanotube aerogels are fabricated through static assembly in the aqueous phase and freeze-drying method. The microstructures and properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, strain-stress and electrical conductivity measurements. The elastic aerogel can be compressed by 60% and recover to its original shape within seconds. Moreover, it can remain their structural integrity under hundreds of compression/release cycles. The unique microstructures endow the elastic aerogel with an extremely fast recovery, accompanied with quick change of conductivity. All of the features of the resulting polypyrrole nanotube aerogels render them attractive for potential stress sensing and energy conversion/storage applications.