EFFECT OF ELECTROLYTES ON REDOX REACTIVITY OF POLYPYRROLE

Doping and dedoping characteristics of polypyrrole (PPy) formed electr ochemically have been examined by means of energy-dispersive X-ray spe ctroscopy (EDS). Dodecylsulfate ions (DS-) and perchlorate ions (ClO4- ) were embedded simultaneously in PPy when both ions were present on t he polymerization of pyrrole. Sequential formation of PPy in the singl e dopant system allowed PPy/ClO4 to grow in the bulk of PPy/DS but not vice versa. DS- was embedded not to leave the polymer on reduction bu t ClO4- moved in and out of the polymer on redox reaction. Cyclic volt ammetry was Employed to determine the redox reactivity of PPy in diffe rent electrolyte systems. NaClO4 was a better electrolyte for cyclic r edox reaction than LiClO4 or KClO4. NaCl was a good electrolyte fo. cy clic redox reaction but Cl- failed to penetrate in the PPy/DS bulk on reoxidation. The cyclic redox reactivity lasted longest when PPy/DS te as redox-cycled sequentially in the NaCl electrolyte system and then i n the NaClO4 system. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.