Electrochemical Synthesis and Properties of the Composite Material ITO/Polypyrrole-Benzoic: Cobalt for Electronic Storage Applications

Abstract

We report on the synthesis and characterization of cobalt microparticles insertion into the composite material poly [4-(pyrrol-1-yl methyl) benzoic acid]. These were deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates. Poly [4-(pyrrol-1-yl methyl) benzoic acid] films, 2.3 µm thick, were prepared by electrochemical oxidation of [4-(pyrrol-1-yl methyl) benzoic acid] monomer in an acetonitrile medium. The insertion of cobalt particles was carried out by immersing the modified electrode (ITO/polymer) in a cobalt metal salt solution in order to complex the Co2+ cations with the COO− carboxylic groups present in the polymer film, followed by an electrochemical reduction of the polymer–cobalt complex to precipitate cobalt in the form of metal microparticles in the polymer film. The electrochemical study by cyclic voltammetry indicated the insertion of cobalt into the polymer films by complexation and electroreduction. The characterization of the composite material by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction spectroscopies confirmed the presence of approximately 2 µm sized cobalt aggregates dispersed in the polymer film. The study of the magnetic behavior of the composite material showed an improvement with the cobalt charge increase.