THE EFFECTS OF POLYACRYLIC ACID POLYPYRROLE COMPOSITE COATING ON PHOTOCORROSION AND PHOTOACTIVITY OF PYRITE ELECTRODES/

Electrically conducting polyacrylic acid (PAA)/Polypyrrole (PPy) compo site films were prepared by electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole on PAA which was electrocheimically adsorbed on natural and synthetic pyrite (FeS2) electrodes. The application of such polymer coating on p yrite, which is one of the semiconducting materials for solar applicat ions, shows almost total protection against corrosion and can improve the photoactive character of the electrode. Addition of Ce(IV) ammoniu m nitrate into this system improved the photoactivity of the PAA/PPy c omposite. The composite polymer has higher photoconductivity than the pure PPy because of the doping effect of anions on the PPA/PPy composi te.