Preparation and study of conductive polymer high-T-C superconductor assemblies

In this report, a monolayer of N-(3-aminopropyl) pyrrole is used as a template layer for the controlled growth of polypyrrole on polycrystalline and oriented films of the high temperature superconductor, YBa2Cu3O7. Large increases in the growth rate and smoothness of the polymer layer are obtained with the use of the monolayer template as compared with the bare superconductor electrodes. Observation of the electrochemical growth characteristics as well as polymer morphological properties allows for an evaluation of the local surface conductive properties of superconductor-based ceramic and thin film samples. The use of the amine substituted pyrrole self-assembled monolayer serves to drastically alter the polymer growth characteristics and the surface adhesion properties.