Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole films on transparent substrates

Polypyrrole films were electrosynthesized potentiodinamically on transparent fluorine-doped tin dioxide (FTO) substrates. Polymerization was carried out in the presence and in the absence of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The effect of the presence of SDBS and the addition of both as-grown and air-oxidized SWCNTs to the polymerization solution was studied. Electrochemical techniques, as well as ex-situ techniques were used for film characterization. The results show that the slowly growing Ppy coating in course of the electropolymerization entrapped the SWCNTs, which are primarily attached to the electrode by Brownian motion and/or electrophoresis, in the polymer matrix. The presence of SDBS and SWCNTs lowers electrode impedance modulus, especially at low frequencies, and increases film capacitance. The presence of SWCNTs increases thickness, roughness and mechanical stiffness of the films.

► Electrosynthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/polypyrrole (Ppy) films.
► SWCNTs/Ppy films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO).
► Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) as surfactant and doping anion.
► Effect of SDBS and SWCNTs on the electrosynthesis of PPy on FTO.
► SWCNTs improves capacitance and impedance, increasing film roughness and stiffness.