Physical properties of polypyrrole films containing trisoxalatometallate anions and prepared from aqueous solution

Polypyrrole (PPy) thin films containing trisoxalatometallate anions (M(ox)(3)(3-), M=Cr and Al; ox=C2O42-) were prepared electrochemically from aqueous solution in a single-compartment cell. Thicknesses were in the range 30-70 mu m They were characterized by elemental analysis and diffuse specular reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy. Their structural and morphological features were probed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Room-temperature electrical conductivities (11-50 S cm(-1)) were comparable to those of the well-studied PPy-p-toluenesulfonate system. Some limited studies of the effect of oxygen and nitrogen on the variation of conductivity with time were made. Some of the films displayed excellent conductivity stability over a period of 50 days, comparable to the stability found in other commonly reported polymers.