One-step assembly of polypyrrole-graphene oxide nanocomposite sponges

We demonstrate a facile one-step route to synthesize polypyrrole (PPy)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite sponges. PPy nanoparticles and GO nanosheets are self-assembled into a welldefined and interconnected three-dimensional porous network through π- π interaction during the static polymerization of pyrrole monomers in the presence of GO nanosheets. PPy nanoparticles with the size range of 30-70 nm are uniformly dispersed on the GO surface in the three-dimensional network. The effect of GO nanosheets concentration on the water absorbency of the PPy/GO nanocomposite sponge was investigated. The results show that PPy/GO nanocomposite sponges possess improved water absorbency in distilled water as well as in saline solution. The as-prepared PPy/GO nanocomposite sponge may be a potential candidate in the fields of tissue engineering, biosensors, and controlled release.