Chemical, electrical and electrochemical characterization of hybrid organic/inorganic polypyrrole/PW12O403− coating deposited on polyester fabrics

A study of the stability of conducting fabrics of polyester (PES) coated with polypyrrole/PW12O403− (organic/inorganic hybrid material) in different pH solutions (1, 7, 13) has been done. Washing tests were also done in views of its possible application in electronic textiles such as antistatic clothing. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies have been done to quantify the amount of counter ion that remains in the polymer matrix and determine the doping ratio (N+/N) after the different tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to observe morphological differences after the different tests. Surface resistivity changes were measured by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was employed to measure changes in electroactivity after the different tests. Higher pHs caused a decrease of the doping ratio (N+/N), the loss of part of the counter ions and the decrease of its conducting and electrocatalytic properties. The stability in acid media and neutral media and after the washing test was good. Only at pH 13 the loss of the counter ion was widespread and there was a decrease of its conducting and catalytic properties; although the fabrics continued acting mainly as a conducting material.

► Fabrics of polyester have been coated with conducting polypyrrole (PPy)/PW12O403− hybrid material. ► Conductive fabrics of PES-PPy/PW12O403− are stable in acid media and neutral media. ► In basic media, PW12O403− decomposes and there is a decrease of the conducting properties. ► SECM measurements showed that the coatings of PPy/PW12O403− were electroactive.