Electrodeposition of copper into functionalized polypyrrole films

Abstract

Copper microparticles have been dispersed in anion-exchange polymer films coated on carbon electrodes by oxidative electropolymerization of pyrrole-alkylammonium monomers. Incorporation of copper in polymeric films was effected by impregnation of copper-oxalate anionic complexes followed by an electroredactive precipitation to copper metal, or by electroreduction of polymer coated electrodes immersed in copper-oxalate aqueous solutions. The deposition process was examined by voltammetry. Scanning electron microscopy showed a dispersion of metal particles from 50-100 up to 300 nm, according to the lipophilic character of the polymer, located in a layer near the carbon|polymer interface. A study of the electrocatalytic activity in the reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline at these materials was performed. The cathodes appeared much more active than bulk copper electrodes.