Template-free synthesis of conducting-polymer polypyrrole micro/nanostructures using electrochemistry

Controlled synthesis of conducting-polymer polypyrrole microcontainers by electrogenerated H-2 gas bubbles act as template from a surfactant cum electrolyte (2-naphthalene sulfonic acid; beta-NSA) on a stainless steel working electrode, followed by the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole around the micelles is reported. The films consist of round grains and cup/bowl-like structures, which became lantern-like with increasing cycles. Sodium chlorate (NaClO3) was used as a reference electrolyte. The bowl diameter and room temperature conductivity ranged 50-2000 nm and 1-50 S cm(-1), respectively. An analysis of these films was complemented with Raman spectroscopy to identify the oxidized PPy, polaron, and bipolarons.