Doped polypyrrole for MAPLE deposition: Synthesis and characterization

The contribution deals with synthesis and characterization of conductive polypyrrole (PPY), which should be suitable for depositions of thin layers by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) method. The samples of doped PPY containing various organic dopants – (i) p-toluenesulfonic acid, (ii) dodecyl-benzenesulfonic acid, (iii) dioctyl-sulfosuccinic acid and (iv) camphorsulfonic acid – were synthesized by polymerization of pyrrole in acidic or neutral solution. Solubility of synthesized PPY and settlement time of PPY particles in water and dimethylsulfoxide – parameters critical for MAPLE method – were investigated. The composition of prepared PPY was verified by FTIR spectroscopy. Conductivity of the polymer in solid state was determined to be in range from σ = 2.6 × 10−6 S cm−1 to σ = 6.0 × 10−2 S cm−1. The optimal material for MAPLE deposition is PPY containing organic dopants (ii)–(iv), dissolved in DMSO matrix (solubility from 4.1% to 6.5% by weight and settlement time 140–240 h).