Formation of polypyrrole coatings onto low carbon steel by electrochemical process

Abstract

Thin polypyrrole coatings (∼ 10 μm thick) were formed on low carbon steel by an aqueous constant current electrochemical polymerization using oxalic acid as the electrolyte. The amount of polypyrrole coatings formed on steel increased with the applied current and monomer concentration. No significant change in the electropolymerization of pyrrole occurred as a result of increased electrolyte concentration. The induction time for electropolymerization decreased significantly with current density but was unaffected by the initial monomer and electrolyte concentration. The electropolymerization potential of pyrrole increased with increased current density (Cd), i.e., Ep = 0.62 + 0.41 [Cd], and decreased exponentially with increased monomer and electrolyte concentration, Ep = E0 exp-[M]. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the microstructure of the polypyrrole coatings formed on steel was dependent on the current density to the extent that smoother and more uniform coatings are formed at low current density. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polm Sci 65:417–424, 1997