Polypyrrole self-organized nanopore arrays formed by controlled electropolymerization in TiO2nanotube template

Abstract

A new concept for formation of nanostructured intrinsically conducting polymers (ICP) is demonstrated. Polypyrrole can be electropolymerized from an ionic-surfactant-solution in TiO₂ nanotube framework to form a geometrical structure of self-organized nanopore arrays. Polymerization is initialized selectively in the space between nanotube walls forming a mechanically stable polymer network with controlled wall thickness from 40 to 10 nm. Such robust polymer nanostructures are very promising for application in electrochemical systems of limited charge carrier diffusion length.