Electrochemical synthesis of polypyrrole/polyimide conducting composite using a polyamic acid precursor

Conducting polymer/poly(amic acid) composites were synthesized by casting poly(amic acid) (PAAc)film onto the surface of stainless steel followed by electrochemical deposition of polypyrrole. Polypyrrole/polyimide (PPy/PI) composites were also formed by preimidizing the polyamic acid film prior to electrodeposition of PPy. The electrical resistance of the bottom side of PPy/PAAc composite (2.3 Ω cm) was lower than that of the PPy/PI composite (6.4 Ω cm), the thickness of the matrix was the same. A PI matrix was used for electropolymerization of pyrrole. The electrodeposition was investigated by using different current densities. IR spectroscopy revealed interactions between the PAAc and PPy in the composite.