Synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole and its composites coatings on flexible surface and its antibacterial properties

•A method of deposition of polypyrrole-metal composites on noncoducting substrates.•Polypyrrole–Ag exhibit good antibacterial properties.•High capability of polypyrrole–Au deposited on paper toward catalytic electrooxidation.•Low cytotoxicity of PPy–metal composites proved on THP-1 cells line.•Active materials for sensors, antiseptic wound dressing and food packaging.