Effects of Ultramicroelectrode Dimensions on the Electropolymerization of Polypyrrole
- ORNL
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)
Anode geometry can significantly affect the electrochemical synthesis of conductive polymers. Here, the effects of anode dimensions on the electropolymerization of pyrrole are investigated. Band microelectrodes were prepared with widths ranging from 2 to 500 {micro}m. The anode dimension has a significant effect on the resulting thickness of polymer film. The electropolymerization process deviates significantly from that predicted by simple mass transfer considerations when electrode dimensions are less than {approx}20 {micro}m. Polymer film thickness is thinner than expected when electrode dimensions become less than {approx}10 {micro}m. A simple mathematical model was derived to explain the observed effects of anode dimensions on the polymerization process. Simulation results confirm that diffusive loss of reaction intermediates accounts for the observed experimental trends. The described simulation facilitates understanding of the electropolymerization processes and approaches to the controlled deposition of polypyrrole, particularly at the submicron scale, for microelectromechanical systems and biomedical applications.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Work for Others (WFO)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 966733
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 105, Issue 12; ISSN 0021-8979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Electrochemistry of surfactant-doped polypyrrole film(I): Formation of columnar structure by electropolymerization
Template electropolymerization of polypyrrole nanostructures on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite step and pit defects