Poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) and Poly(N-methylpyrrole) Clay Exfoliated Nanocomposites

Abstract

In the present work, The electroactivity, electrochemical stability, electrical conductivity and adherence of films formed by different layers of poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) and poly( N-methylpyrrole) with various nanoclay concentrations have been characterized and compared with those of pure polymers and copolymers. Results indicate that the electroactivity, electrostability and adherence of the multilayered systems are higher than those of both poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) and copolymers. On the other hand, the electrical conductivity diminishes by increasing the nanoclay percentage. both PEDOT and PNMPy , i.e. the formation of electroactive polarons is more difficult in the copolymers. Furthermore, the electrochemical stability of the homopolymers is significantly higher thanthat of the copolymer. Thus, redox properties of PEDOT and PNMPy are almost unaltered after eight consecutive oxidation-reduction cycles, while the degradation of the poly(EDOT-co-NMPy) properties is observed after only two consecutive oxidation-reduction cycles. In this work we present how all these deficiencies are successfully overcome by fabrication multilayered films of PEDOT and PNMPy (ml-PEDOT/PNMPy) using a layer-by-layer electrodeposition technique. Systems containing different layers that alternate PEDOT and PNMPy have been prepared and their electrochemical and electrical properties determined. In order to provide environmental stability to the multilayered systems, PEDOT has been used for the outside layers. Results indicate that the electroactivity and electrochemical stability of ml-PEDOT/PNMPy are significantly higher than those