THE EFFECT OF PROCESS PARAMETERS ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF POLYPYRROLE COATINGS FORMED ON CARBON-FIBERS

Polypyrrole coatings have been electropolymerized onto carbon fibers. Several process parameters, including the type of electrolyte, the mon omer concentration, the electrolyte concentration, the applied voltage , and the electropolymerization time were systematically varied, and t heir effect on the morphology and composition of the coatings assessed . The SEM micrographs of the coated samples revealed several distingui shable morphologies. The presence of the counterion, derived from the electrolyte, in the coatings was confirmed by EDAX analysis, elemental analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. The doping and formation of the polypyrrole coatings occurred concurrently. The morphology of the coat ings was greatly influenced by the type of electrolyte, electrolyte co ncentration, and the applied voltage.