ELECTRICAL OSCILLATIONS IN POLYPYRROLE-LECITHIN BILAYER LIPID-MEMBRANES

Studies were performed on oscillations across a polypyrrole-lecithin bilayer lipid membrane (BLM), separating two electrolyte solutions, one containing an electron-acceptor reagent and the other an electron-donor reagent. Studied systems showed sustained oscillations of electrical potential of about 15 mV with an interval of about 40 s. The proposed mechanism of these oscillations is based on the polypyrrole oxidation-doping/reduction-undoping process. The equivalent electric circuit of the investigated oscillating system is presented. It is suggested that the presented mechanism of this phenomenon could be useful in interpretation of some oscillations observed in biological systems. The possibility of application of the described system in the development of molecular electronic devices is also suggested.