Electrochemical bubble generation via hydrazine oxidation for the in situ control of an electrodeposited conducting polymer micro/-nanostructure

Abstract

An electrochemical method to manipulate the size and density of electrodeposited polypyrrole structures at the micro-nanoscale by the discharge of hydrazine.

Influence of Polyfluorinated Side Chains and Soft‐Template Method on the Surface Morphologies and Hydrophobic Properties of Electrodeposited Films from Fluorene Bridged Dicarbazole Monomers

“…Indeed, their size and density on the surface electrode could be modulated by controlling electrochemical parameters (applied potential, concentration, time, etc.) in a clear voltammogram zone [20d,22] . Unfortunately, ITO electrodes suffer from degradation when exposed to hydrogen evolution from water discharge, which affects their chemical composition and conductivity [30] .…”

“…Electrodeposition under anhydrous electrolyte conditions led in all cases to films covering the electrode surface with typical globular‐shaped surface morphology. These cauliflower like structures are formed and then expand to touch each other from nucleation sites on the electrode surface [20d,22] . CFC‐Fn films grown from anhydrous electrolyte solution look similar, with a surface arithmetic mean roughness (R a ) and film height (H) that oscillates in the range 11–24 nm and 265–345 nm, respectively (See inset in Figure 2).…”

“…In addition, as the electropolymerization time increases, the deposited polymer starts to agglomerate by growth on the previously formed material, augmenting the thickness and affecting the morphology of the film. Things get even more entangled in the presence of template gas bubbles electrochemically generated in situ at the same potential that induces the electropolymerization [20d] . Now, all the electrochemical parameters that affect the electropolymerization process also influence bubbles formation.…”

“…While much research has been performed to develop electropolymerizable monomers able to generate organic conducting polymers with different capabilities or physicochemical properties, [17,21] building out controlled electropolymerization processes that lead to films structured at the micro‐nanoscale can further expand the potential of these materials. In this regard, electrodeposition processes with the concomitant generation of gas microbubbles at the electrode surface by electrochemically discharge of a gas precursor as water are particularly intriguing [20a,d,22] . Indeed, the generated microbubbles work as soft template that makes that the polymer precipitate around them forming ordered pores or tubular structures.…”

“…By means of the electrochemical parameters control, it is possible to obtain a precise tuning of conducting polymer structures at the micro‐nanoscale. This technique allows adjusting the surface properties for applications like wettability, among others, and it is arousing ever increasing interest [20d,23] . So far, much attention has been paid to the optimization of the electrolyte composition in order to stabilize gas microbubbles during the polymerization processes.…”