Electrochemical synthesis of electroconducting polymers

Abstract

Electroconducting polymers from the group of synthetic metals are extensively investigated due to numerous properties perspective in practical application. These materials may be synthesized by both chemical and electrochemical procedures. Chemical synthesis is suitable when bulk quantities of the polymer are needed and up to date it presents dominant commercial method of producing electroconducting polymers. Nevertheless, electrochemical synthesis has its advantages; it avoids usage of oxidants since conducting polymeric material is obtained at anode upon application of positive potential, leading to increased purity. On the other hand, since the polymer is deposited onto electrode, further electrochemical characterization is facilitated. Owing to actuality of the research in the field this texts aims to describe important aspects of electrochemical synthesis of electroconducting polymers, with special emphasis to polyaniline and polypyrrole.