Polypyrrole

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A Polypyrrole (PPy) is a chemical compound formed from a number of connected pyrrole ring structures. For example a tetrapyrrole is a compound with four pyrrole rings connected. Polypyrroles are conducting polymers of the rigid-rod polymer host family.

In 1963, Weiss et al reported [1][2] high-conductivity in iodine-doped polypyrrole. This anticipated the Nobel-prize-winning discovery of high-conductivity in iodine-doped polyacetylene, as well as John McGinness' et als report of a high-conductivity "ON" state in the putative first organic electronic device [3]].

Polypyrroles are also called pyrrole blacks or polypyrrole blacks. Polypyrroles also exist naturally, especially as part of a mixed copolymer with polyacetylene and polyaniline in some melanins.

In 2006, scientists from Brown University published work on a fast-charging and discharging battery chemistry based on polypyrroles. [4]