Electrochemical synthesis of polypyrrole in a room temperature ionic liquid and its properties

Polypyrrole (PPy) films were electropolymerized on Pt and indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrodes in a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (bmimPF₆). The ionic liquid was used as both the growth medium and the supporting electrolyte. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) shows that the growth of polymer, prepared in ionic liquid was not similar to that prepared in traditional organic media. The polymer was further characterized via AC impedance, in situ UV-Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Both Raman and FTIR spectroscopy results show the characteristic peak of PPy. SEM shows the morphology differences between the both sides of the polymer. The electrocatalytic effect of the PPy modified electrode was investigated in hydroquinone solution and the result exhibited electrocatalytic properties for hydroquinone by the PPy modified electrode.