Studies on polypyrrole film in room temperature melt

Abstract

A bluish-black shining free standing polypyrrole film (PPy) of electronic conductivity ∼130 S cm −1 has been prepared by electrochemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole on Pt/transparent glass conducting electrode ∼ resistance 15 Ω cm −1, using a room temperature melt as an electrolyte, composed of 1:3 stoichiometric ratio of cetyl pyridinium chloride and anhydrous aluminum chloride at 0.58 V versus Al wire as a reference electrode. The film possessed a charge transfer resistance of 132 Ω, and showed two absorption peaks at 457 and 1264 nm in the UV-vis–NIR diffused reflectance spectra. The morphology of the film was hexagonal. The potential step technique suggested a layered structure. This thin film can easily be peeled off from the electrode surface after three cycles and can be used for various applications like dissipation of electrostatic charge, battery electrode materials, solid electrolytic capacitor, electrochromic windows and displays, microactuators etc. It was also characterized by IR, thermal and SEM studies.