Thin polypyrrole films formed on mica and alumina with and without surfactant present: characterization by scanning probe and optical microscopy

Citation
Wl. Yuan et al., Thin polypyrrole films formed on mica and alumina with and without surfactant present: characterization by scanning probe and optical microscopy, THIN SOL FI, 385(1-2), 2001, pp. 96-108
Citations number
61
Categorie Soggetti
Apllied Physucs/Condensed Matter/Materiales Science","Material Science & Engineering
Journal title
THIN SOLID FILMS
ISSN journal
00406090 → ACNP
Volume
385
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
96 - 108
Database
ISI
SICI code
0040-6090(20010402)385:1-2<96:TPFFOM>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
Chemical deposition of electrically conducting polypyrrole (PPy) thin films on mica and alumina was carried out in aqueous solutions with and without surfactant. Examination of film morphology and thickness by atomic force mi croscopy (AFM) indicated a strong dependence of structure on the method of preparation. Films grown in the absence of surfactant were thicker than 150 nm with wrinkles present, indicating the overcoming of film-substrate adhe sion by internal film cohesion. Oxidative polymerization with surfactant al lowed reproducible synthesis of very thin films (50 nm thickness) with impr oved adhesion and suppressed formation of wrinkles. Experimental results ar e discussed within the context of a Stranski-Krastanov model of film growth . Film thickness and surface fractal dimensions were derived from AFM. Frac tal analysis of Pq films on alumina helped discern their presence on the mi croscopically rough substrate and quantitatively expressed the changes in s ample color by surface roughness. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.