Self-Assembled, Nanostructured Polypyrrole Films Grown in a High-Gravity Environment

A simple, novel method of synthesizing self-assembled, nanostructured conducting polymer films has been developed. Applying an increased centrifugal force on the electrodes during the electrochemical deposition process yields high surface area, micro- or nanostructured polymer films. Scanning electron microscopy showed that as the applied g-force increased, the polymers progressed from having smooth, "cauliflower" morphologies, to intermediate microsttuctured surfaces, to finally dense nanostructured surfaces with pore sizes as small as 50 nm. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that films grown at higher centrifugal accelerations (higher than 500g) exhibited less degradation after electrochemical cycling and more capacitive behavior.