ESCA and TOF‐SIMS Study on Oxidised and Reduced Polypyrrole‐Poly(Vinylsulfonic Acid, Sodium Salt) Films Synthesized on Ti Electrodes

Abstract

We had previously reported on a surface analysis investigation of electrochemically synthesized, both oxidized and reduced, polypyrrole‐poly‐4‐styrenesulfonate free‐standing films (Sin et al., 2000). We apply the same techniques that we used earlier (Sin et al., 2000) to study polypyrrole‐poly(vinylsulfonic acid, sodium salt) (PPy‐PVS) free‐standing films. Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) and Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) were used in the surface morphology study of oxidized and reduced PPy‐PVS composite films. ESCA spectra seem to indicate that the CO and C–OH structures reduced to C–C bonds during the reduction process and also seem to reveal interesting charge transfer behavior, namely. NH+ and N–H bonds to imine group (N=C) at reduced PPy‐PVS free standing films. Furthermore, TOF‐SIMS ion mapping also provided some interesting surface distribution of elements on PPy‐PVS composite films. A comparison of surface conductivities between the two sides of both types of films was made,with conductivity measurements being carried out using the four‐point probe technique.