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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Electrically conducting composite polypyrrole/poly(p-phenyleneterephthalamide) (PPTA or KEVLAR) fibers have been prepared by chemical polymerization of pyrrole within the interstices of the hydrogen-bonded gel structure of never-dried PPTA fibers. The resultant fibers contain a uniform dispersion of polypyrrole, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of these hybrid fibers is presented. The conductivity is well described by the fluctuation-induced charge transport model over the entire temperature range of interest. However, the low temperature electrical conductivity also exhibits a hoppinglike temperature dependence, and an Arrhenius-like temperature dependence is observed in the high temperature limit. Measurements of the temperaturedependent tbermopower are indicative of a p-type carrier.