Polypyrrole – Gold nanocomposites. Templateless synthesis and electrochemical properties

Abstract

A novel approach is used for templateless synthesis of polypyrrole – gold nanocomposite material, taking advantage of polypyrrole nanoparticles synthesis method resulting in nanostructures of unblocked surface. Our approach leads to unsupported, nanocomposite system, where presence of gold nanostructures enables hydrogen ions reduction. Electrochemical methods: cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry or rotating disc electrode voltammetry allow to monitor the high rate of hydrogen ions transfer through the conductive polymer and their electrochemical reduction rate. These measurements confirm high active surface area of gold nanostructures immobilized in polypyrrole. On the other hand, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals pseudocapacitive properties of the material, typical for polypyrrole nanostructures. Thus, the obtained nanocomposite material shows joint and unhindered properties typical for gold nanoparticles and polypyrrole nanospheres.