Enhancement of polypyrrole electrochemical performance with graphene quantum dots in polypyrrole nanoparticle/graphene quantum dot composites

•The synthesis of polypyrrole decorated with GQDs in a form of spherical nanoparticles by chemical polymerization in the presence of a surfactant.•The optimization of the polymerization time and amount of GQDs added during the polymerization.•The influence of these factors on the size, dispersibility, textural parameters, and electrochemical properties of composite nanoparticles.•Voltammetric and theoretical studies on the actual influence of GQDs on the electrochemical behavior of polypyrrole nanoparticles.