Electrochemical synthesis of sulfonated polypyrrole in FSO₃H/acetonitrile solution

Abstract

Abstract The incorporation of SO 3 − groups into a polypyrrole backbone was successfully carried out using FSO 3 H/acetonitrile medium. The degree of sulfonation (sulfonation or sulfur‐to‐nitrogen ratio) of polymer was controlled by varying FSO 3 H concentration while the film was being electrodeposited. The cyclic voltammograms of the electrodeposited films were taken between −1.00 and +2.00 V (versus Ag/AgCl) in blank solution. A substantial effect on the electrical conductivity was observed upon the incorporation of SO 3 − groups in the polypyrrole polymeric chain. The elemental analysis results of the freshly prepared and reduced films give independent evidence that the SO 3 − groups are covalently bound to the structure. FTIR, UV‐Vis, spectroscopy and SEM techniques were used to characterize the electrosynthesized polypyrrole films. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 526–533, 2004