Open AccessSelf‐Supported Polypyrrole/Polyvinylsulfate Films: Electrochemical Synthesis, Characterization, and Sensing Properties of Their Redox Reactions
Author(s) -
Otero Toribio F.,
MartinezSoria Lluis X.,
Schumacher Johanna,
Valero Laura,
Pascual Victor H.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemistryopen
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2191-1363
DOI - 10.1002/open.201600139
Subject(s) - polypyrrole , cyclic voltammetry , electrochemistry , redox , aqueous solution , chronoamperometry , lamellar structure , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , inorganic chemistry , electrolyte , materials science , horizontal scan rate , electrode , voltammetry , chemistry , chemical engineering , composite material , engineering
Thick films of polypyrrole/polyvinylsulfate (PPy/PVS) blends were electrogenerated on stainless‐steel electrodes under potentiostatic conditions from aqueous solution. The best electropolymerization potential window was determined by cyclic voltammetry. After removing the film from the back metal, self‐supported electrodes were obtained. Voltammetric, coulovoltammetric, and chronoamperometric responses from a LiClO 4 aqueous solution indicated the formation of an energetically stable structure beyond a reduction threshold of the material. Its subsequent oxidation required higher anodic voltammetric overpotentials or longer chronoamperometric oxidation times. This structure was attributed to the formation of lamellar or vacuolar structures. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the films under different oxidations states revealed that the electrochemical reactions drive the reversible exchange of cations between the film and the electrolyte. The electrical energy and the charge consumed by the reversible reaction of the film under voltammetric conditions between the constant potential limits are a function of the potential scan rate, that is, they sense the working electrochemical conditions.