Electrochemical synthesis of polyaniline/inorganic salt binary nanofiber thin films for electrochromic applications

Abstract

Polyaniline conductive polymer thin films without or with LiClO4 inorganic salt were coated by electrochemical deposition method on ITO surface. Electrochromic stability test, electrochemical behavior, coloring performance, optical properties and surface formations of the produced films were studied in detail. The deposited films were found to have a good stability. Electrochemical analysis showed that the conductivity of LiClO4 doped PANI film was higher than that of the PANI. Oxidation and reduction peaks, and potentials differed significantly depending on the content of the electrolytes. SEM studies demonstrated that the surface of each film consisted of completely nanofibers. Addition of LiClO4 to the deposition electrolyte decreased substantially the diameter of these nanofibers. PANI film with LiClO4 exhibited four colors, while pure PANI film had three different colors. The EDX results obtained from the surface of LiClO4 doped PANI material indicated that PANI and LiClO4 could be successfully linked to form PANI/LiClO4 binary thin film.