Electrosynthesis and properties of the polypyrrole/dodecylbenzene sulfonate polymer. Influence of structural micellar changes of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate at high concentrations

Potentiodynamic polymerization of polypyrrole/dodecylbenzene sulfonate (PPy/DBS) was carried out in aqueous medium. The polymerization process and the morphology of the film generated were found to be influenced by the NaDBS concentration in the synthesis solution. Voltammograms obtained during the polymerization showed substantial changes comparing NaDBS concentrations above and below ∼0.1 M. Also, SEM images corroborated the morphology changes of the generated polymer. This concentration value has been related with a structural micellar change of the NaDBS surfactant. This fact was confirmed by conductimetric, and viscosimetric measurements together with a voltammetric study of the NaDBS adsorption on a platinum electrode.

► A second micellar transition has been found for the NaDBS surfactant at ∼0.1 M.
► Higher size micellar aggregates will be formed at NaDBS concentrations above 0.1 M.
► NaDBS concentration affects the potentiodynamic synthesis of PPy/DBS in aqueous medium.
► A PPy/DBS behavior change is observed at NaDBS concentrations upper than 0.1 M.
► The polymer structure will depend on the micellar aggregates formed in the solution.