Electrochemical formation of polypyrrole nanowires

This paper aims at approaching the mechanism of formation of polypyrrole (PPy) nanowires by an all-electrochemical process, which consists in electrografting a poly(alkylacrylate) film onto the surface of a cathode, followed by the anodic electropolymerization of pyrrole (Py) at the surface of this organomodified electrode. The experimental conditions for the pyrrole oxidation, including solvent and concentrations of monomer and supporting electrolyte, have been changed with the purpose to tune the characteristic features of the polypyrrole nanowires. The polyacrylate template has also been modified, all other conditions being the same, in an effort to design the shape and size of the wires. The electrochemical behavior of the as-prepared PPy wires has been characterized.