Preparation and characterization of a polypyrrole hybrid film with [Ni(dmit)2]2−, bis(1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate)nickellate(II)

The synthesis of a hybrid material obtained by electropolymerization of a solution of pyrrole and [NEt4]2[Ni(dmit)2] (dmit = 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato) in acetonitrile solution is reported. The material was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis and infrared spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The FTIR spectroscopy showed that the [Ni(dmit)2]2− anion has been inserted in the polypyrrole framework and was not destroyed or modified during the polymerization process. The voltammetric analysis indicated that the material has electroactivity and undergoes redox processes associated with the conducting polymer and the counteranion. The cyclic voltammetry results also suggest that the counteranion is not trapped in the PPy matrix undergoing anion exchange during the redox cycle of PPy. The PPy/[Ni(dmit)2]2− exhibits good thermal stability and a intrinsic conductivity value in the range of semiconductors (10−3 S cm−1).