Application of Al2O3 in the electrosynthesis of polypyrrole with fuzzy morphology—Microtentacle

Abstract

AbstractPolypyrrole (PPy) thin films were electrochemically polymerized onto the electrode surface. In this study alumina was used as the template and PPy film was prepared by electrochemical polymerization using Al/Al2O3 as the working electrode. Surface morphology of PPy was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the results revealed that the application of the template resulted in PPy with fantastic surface morphology which was called microtentacle and the length of the tentacle could reach 15 µm. The morphology can evidently increase the roughness, thus the surface area of the electrode substrate, and provide an intimate contact with the surrounding brain tissue compared to the hard, stiff metal surface. Relationship between PPy morphology and electrochemical polymerization parameters, such as polymerization time, was investigated. The study provided a fundamental method to prepare a PPy‐modified electrode with high surface area. Potential application of the study is proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.