Electrochemical synthesis of poly(O-anisidine)/α-Fe2O3 composite thin films

Conducting composite thin films of poly(O-anisidine) (POA) have been synthesized by electrochemical polymerization of O-anisidine on α-Fe2O3 film. The polymerization was carried in aqueous medium using SnO2:F, coated with α-Fe2O3 matrix, as a working electrode and H2SO4 as a supporting electrolyte. The composite films were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrical conductivity measurements. The optical absorption spectra of the composite films clearly indicate the formation of the conducting emeraldine salt phase of POA within the α-Fe2O3 matrix. The surface morphology of the composite films is observed to be uniform and fibrillar. It is found that the electrical conductivity of the composite films depends on the deposition time.