Electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole in supercritical carbon dioxide-in-water emulsion

Supercritical carbon dioxide is an environmentally benign solvent but its low polarity limits electrochemical reactions in it. We now report the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole in a supercritical carbon dioxide-in-water (C/W) emulsion in the presence of a surfactant. Black polypyrrole films were formed on Pt electrodes, whose conductivity was comparable with non-oriented polypyrrole prepared in conventional solvents. The structure of the polypyrrole films was confirmed by IR and Raman spectroscopic measurements. p-Toluenesulfonic acid was a suitable supporting electrolyte among the electrolytes examined for the electrochemical polymerization in the C/W emulsion. A typical nodular morphology was observed on the basis of the SEM and AFM measurements. Confocal scanning microscope revealed the formation of a fine uneven texture on the film prepared in the C/W emulsion.