Facile template-free electrochemical preparation of poly[N-(2-cyanoethyl)pyrrole] nanowires

Abstract

a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oIn this paper the first synthesis of poly[N-(2-cyanoethyl)pyrrole] (PPyEtCN) in a nanowire morphology is reported. The method employed is a facile, one step electrochemical growth, which does not require the use of any templates or surfactants. Using optimised conditions the nanowires nucleate to give a homogeneous film across the electrode surface, with lengths of approximately 2 μm and diameters of approximately 150 nm. Structural information on the nanowires was obtained using vibrational spectroscopy. Evidence is presented to support an instantaneous 3-D nucleation and growth mechanism for the nanowires.

Electrochemical Deposition of Hollow N-Substituted Polypyrrole Microtubes from an Acoustically Formed Emulsion

“…The electrolyte mixture (LiClO 4 (20 mM)/(NH 4 )H 2 PO 4 (100 mM)) was chosen as previous studies regarding nanowire formation have indicated that this type of system promotes the growth of PPy nanowires in the direction perpendicular to the electrode surface. ,, However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report utilizing this type of electrolyte system to form hollow PPy-based microstructures. It has been proposed that the role of the HPO 4 2– or H 2 PO 4 – anions during electrochemical deposition of PPy nanowires is to control the vertical growth by acting as a scaffolding agent through H-bonding between the PPy chains .…”

“…24,35,41 However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report utilizing this type of electrolyte system to form hollow PPy-based microstructures. It has been proposed that the role of the HPO 4 2− or H 2 PO 4 − anions during electrochemical deposition of PPy nanowires is to control the vertical growth by acting as a scaffolding agent through Hbonding between the PPy chains.…”

“…The development of functionalized conducting polymers in controlled morphologies was highlighted as an important future research area by Shi and co-workers in their review on nanostructured conducting polymers . In our previous work, we developed an electrochemical template-free procedure to form a novel poly(N-(2-cyanoethyl)pyrrole) (PPyEtCN) film in a nanowire morphology . A number of other studies have been reported using electrochemical or chemical approaches to form microstructures of N-functionalized PPy.…”

“…23 In our previous work, we developed an electrochemical template-free procedure to form a novel poly(N-(2-cyanoethyl)pyrrole) (PPyEtCN) film in a nanowire morphology. 24 A number of other studies have been reported using electrochemical or chemical approaches to form microstructures of N-functionalized PPy. Examples of note include the electrodeposition of poly(N-methylpyrrole) (PPyMe) microstructures in a "doughnut" morphology using a H 2 bubble template carried out by Teixeira-Dias et al 25 and the development of PPyEtCN and PPyMe microspheres through chemical oxidation on polystyrene core particles by Alemań and co-workers.…”

Interface Effect on the Electropolymerized Polypyrrole Films with Hollow Micro/Nanohorn Arrays

“…In addition, the micro/nanostructures may be damaged during the removal process of the hard template method. Hence, more attention has been paid on template-free (also called soft template or molecule template) methods for the preparation of micro/nanostructured PPy. − The template-free method is usually realized by self-assembly of surfactant ions in the solution which do not need to be removed after the polymerization.…”