Controlled preparation of carbon nanotube-conducting polymer composites at the polarisable organic/water interface

Abstract

The electro-polymerisation of polypyrrole (PPy) at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) is reported. The approach is used to demonstrate the formation of a carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-conducting polymer composite, by performing polymerisation in the presence of an assembly of SWCNT films. The morphology of the SWCNT/PPy nanocomposites was determined using probe and electron microscopy and complementary spectroscopic techniques (EDAX, Raman).

Electrochemical Investigation of Adsorption of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes at a Liquid/Liquid Interface

“…It was shown that interfacially assembled SWCNT/graphene layers serve as electron mediators, aiding heterogeneous electron transfer between aqueous and organic redox couples, which remain isolated in their respective phases . This was utilized to functionalize interfacial SWCNT and graphene layers with metal nanoparticles by reducing aqueous metal salts using an organic electron donor, and a conducting polymer poly(pyrrole), through oxidation of the pyrrole monomer dissolved in the organic phase by an aqueous oxidizing agent. Similarly, the electron‐transfer‐mediating properties of pristine liquid‐phase exfoliated graphene at the water/organic interface were found to result in a catalytic effect on the heterogeneous oxygen reduction reaction .…”

Decorating soft electrified interfaces: From molecular assemblies to nano-objects

“…A fast homogeneous electron transfer between tyramine and gold ions was followed by the tyramine polymerization and gold NPs deposition. Carbon based materials were used to control interfacial polymerization of polypyrrole on SWCNT assembled at the interface (see Figure 8B) [164]. These free-standing SWCNT/polypyrrole composite layers were transferable to solid substrates, thus enabling the fabrication of novel functional electrodes [165].…”

Interfacial doping of carbon nanotubes at the polarisable organic/water interface: a liquid/liquid pseudo-capacitor

“…36 Additionally, the growth of a CNT/polypyrrole composite lm was controlled electrochemically at the ITIES. 38 Raman spectroscopy is one of the most widely used techniques for characterisation of CNTs, with the spectra providing a plethora of information on the electronic structure and diameter of the tubes and their defect density. 39 Several bands are present in the Raman spectra of CNTs, with the key bands being the radial breathing mode (RBM), the tangential displacement mode (G), the high-frequency two-phonon mode (2D or G 0 ) band and the defect-induced D band.…”