Electrodeposition of polypyrrole–Au nanoparticles composite from one solution containing gold salt and monomer

An easy method of preparation of polymer/metal–nanoparticle composites is reported. KAu(CN)2 and pyrrole do not react (redox reaction) in solutions of moderate pH. The gold complex, due to its inertness, is stable in the presence of 10 μM CN− for weeks. Therefore the electrodeposition of controlled amounts of polypyrrole and Au nanoparticles on the graphite surface can be done in one solution by applying a sequence of 0.75 and − 1.6 V potentials. Pulse deposition of both components leads to substantial improvement of the layer smoothness and homogenous distribution of Au nanocrystallites.