Mixed polypyrrole surfactant films obtained by electrophoretic engulfing of multilamellar vesicles

We show in this article that negatively charged multilamellar vesicles can be included in a polymer matrix by electrophoretic copolymerization. Polypy rrole is prepared by anodic polymerization from aqueous dispersions of sphe rulites containing the pyrrole monomer. The multilamellar vesicles are incl uded in the polymer film simultaneously with its formation. The electropoly merization process is analyzed by both microscopic and electrochemical tech niques (chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry). The inclusion of the par ticles inside the polymer films is also confirmed ax situ by scanning elect ron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. This experimental evidence confirms the role of dopant played by the multilamellar vesicles during the electropolymerization. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society. All rights re served.