Electrosynthesis and analytical characterisation of polypyrrole thin filmsmodified with copper nanoparticles

Copper-polypyrrole (Cu-PPy) composites have been synthesised following an a ll-electrochemical procedure comprising the deposition of a thin PPy film a nd the subsequent pulsed potentiostatic deposition of copper from a CuCl2 s olution. Surface and bulk characterisation of the specimens has been carrie d out using X-ray Photoelectron and Micro-Raman spectroscopies, respectivel y. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to investigate electroactive species an d copper-polypyrrole interactions in the materials. Composite morphology ha s been assessed by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopies. The clu ster size depended upon the amount of copper deposited; for a copper loadin g of 44 mC cm(-2), clusters with a mean diameter of 160 nm were deposited. These clusters are mainly composed of Cu2O, although chloride species and C uO were found on the surface of the composites. Evidence is provided that C u-N complexes were formed too.