Fabrication of desired conducting polymer nanostructures using electrochemical template synthesis

ANYL 15

Rui Xiao, xiaorui9703@hotmail.com, Seungil Cho, chosi1@gmail.com, Ran Liu, ranliu@umd.edu, and Sang Bok Lee, slee@umd.edu. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Chemistry building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
In this report, we introduce the fabrication strategy to synthesize desired conducting polymer nanostructures in electrochemical template synthesis. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polypyrrole are used as model compounds. Three deterministic parameters, which are applied potential, monomer concentration, and base gold electrode shape, are controlled to obtain the general growth pattern of conducting polymer nanostructure for the synthesis of nanotubular structures. This growth pattern was readily understood when considered in two regions: low potential region and moderate and high potential region. The base electrode shape is the crucial factor for nanotube growth at the low onset oxidation potential. The monomer concentration and applied potential have more influence on determining nanostructures at moderate and high potential. Using this pattern as a guideline, we could synthesize various nanostructures of conducting polymers.