Influence of Sodium lauryl sulphate as surfactant on structural, morphological, electrical, and biological properties on Polypyrrole/CeO2 composites

Polypyrrole (PPY) was synthesized using ferric chloride as an oxidant, a surfactant, and a natural directing agent. The synthesized samples—PPY-1, PPY/CeO2-1, and PPY/CeO2-2 were characterized using FTIR, SEM, XRD, EDX, and TGA. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of key functional groups, while XRD revealed characteristic peaks in the 20°–26° range, further validating composite formation. TGA enhanced thermal stability in PPY/CeO2 composites, reinforcing their nanocomposite nature. The polymer composites exhibited high electrical conductivity and improved antibacterial and antimicrobial activity, particularly with the inclusion of a surfactant.