DEGRADATION OF ELECTRODEPOSITED POLYPYRROLES

The degradation behaviour of polypyrroles with p-toluene sulfonate, pe rchlorate and tetrafluoroborate counter-ions has been studied using se veral techniques. The kinetics of conductivity: decay in several envir onments have been measured and activation energies determined. XPS has been used to characterise the polymer surface and chemical changes to the polymer backbone and counter-ion monitored with time at elevated temperatures. The XPS study has been complemented by static SIMS. SEM has been used to follow changes in morphology in polymers aged in air, oxidising environments and exposed to UV. Changes in mechanical behav iour are correlated with thermogravimetric data. A variety of stabilis ers were incorporated into the polypyrrole and the effect upon durabil ity monitored. Those methods and materials which give significant enha ncement in behaviour will be discussed.