MORPHOLOGY OF POLYPYRROLE FILMS GROWN IN THIN-LAYER CELLS AND ON INDIUM-TIN OXIDE CONDUCTIVE GLASS

Examination by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscop y of the non-conducting substrate poly(methyl methacrylate) and the po lypyrrole free-standing film formed at its surface in a thin-layer cel l has led to an understanding of how such films may be formed. A mecha nism is proposed for the origin of the wrinkle morphology observed in thin-layer cells under certain conditions, and attention is drawn to i ts similarity to the morphology of polypyrrole films formed on indium- tin oxide glass electrodes. In both cases it is proposed that the poro us surface of the substrate on which the film grows acts as a template for nucleation sites.