Solution spun electrically conductive nylon 6/poly(pyrrole) nanotubes-based composite fibers

Wearable electronic device applications require flexible polymer-based conducting fibers. Towards this, various conductive fillers have been used in a polymer matrix. However, it usually requires the addition of a high amount of fillers. In this study, electrically conductive composite fibers of nylon 6 (Ny)-poly(pyrrole) nanotubes (PPyNTs) have been demonstrated using the solution-spinning process. The high aspect ratio of PPyNTs can provide a good electrically conductive network and show a percolation threshold at a low concentration of PPyNTs in a nylon matrix. The composite fibers exhibited good DC electrical conductivity of ~0.002 S/cm at only 6 wt% of PPyNTs. The influence of PPyNTs concentration on the morphology, physical, chemical, and electrical properties of the fibers have been investigated.