Electrochemical synthesis of polypyrrole doped with graphene oxide and its electrochemical characterization as membrane material

• Polypyrrole doped with graphene oxide (PPy/GO) is obtained electrochemically.
• PPy/GO is employed as a membrane and transport properties are analysed by EIS.
• PPy/GO membrane is very porous, high ionic conductivity is obtained, 1.6·10−3 S/cm.
• Electronic conductivity obtained for PPy/GO film is 4.7·10−6 S/cm.
• Material with ionic/electronic conductivity for electrochemical applications.

Polypyrrole (PPy) doped with graphene oxide (GO) has been electrochemically obtained by potentiostatic synthesis and its electrochemical behavior as membrane material has been studied for the first time. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection showed the formation of the hybrid material due to presence of PPy and GO bands. Field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed the effective incorporation of GO sheets and the formation of a 3-D porous material with high surface area. Scanning electrochemical microscopy of PPy/GO films showed positive feedback close to the ideal conducting behavior, indicating a good electroactivity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to measure the electrochemical properties of the coatings by two-, three-, and four-electrode configurations. The electronic conductivity of PPy/GO film, measured between two metallic conductors, was 4.7·10−6 S/cm. Its ionic conductivity was superior (1.6·10−3 S/cm) due to the high porosity of the material as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry and EIS measurements, where the PPy/GO film was employed as a free-standing membrane. The diffusion-migration rate of tetramethylammonium chloride was very similar to sodium chloride when present in the same concentration, which indicated no influence of the size of the electrolyte conductor due to the high porosity.

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