EFFICIENCY OF ELECTROPOLYMERIZATION OF PYRROLE ONTO CARBON-FIBERS

The efficiency of the electropolymerization of pyrrole onto carbon fib ers has been studied. The dependence of the amount of polypyrrole coat ings formed on the pH of the cell solution, the charge passed during e lectropolymerization and the reaction time has been determined. The am ount of polypyrrole coatings formed increased with decreased pH of the cell solution and attained a maximum value at a pH less than or equal to 3. The amount of coatings formed increased with increased total ch arge passed during electropolymerization. The weight of polypyrrole co atings formed per coulomb of charge passed rose to its highest value a t short polymerization times, t < 300 s. It rapidly declined and then a leveled off at longer times, t > 300 s. The efficiency of electropol ymerization was determined from the ratio of the experimental and theo retical hydrogen ion concentration. The efficiency of aqueous electrop olymerization of pyrrole onto carbon fibers was determined to vary bet ween 37 and 43%.