MORPHOLOGY AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYPYRROLE FILMS PREPARED IN AQUEOUS AND NONAQUEOUS SOLVENTS

Electrochemical characteristics, conductivities, and morphology of the polypyrrole (PPy) films prepared in aqueous and nonaqueous (acetonitrile) solutions by electrochemical techniques have been studied and the results are reported. Electrochemical parameters studied included exchange rate constants and capacitances for the films. PPy films prepared in acetonitrile were found to be superior to those prepared in aqueous medium in their electron transfer characteristics and conductivities. Films prepared in water were found to be more porous than their counterparts in acetonitrile. These differences in properties of the films prepared in different media were explained in terms of their morphology. The polarity and nucleophilicity of the solvent used for the synthesis of PPy films appeared to be responsible for different morphology of the PPy films. © 1990, The Electrochemical Society, Inc. All rights reserved.