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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
Polypyrrole has been synthesized electrochemically at current densities from 6.4 μA/cm2 to 3.84 mA/cm2. Low current density is crucial to the formation of a highly conjugated modification as shown by the low value of the π-π* transition energy (2.83 eV). The low current form displays a cyclic voltammogram with a detailed structure with narrow peaks. Following the presence and evolution of the peaks is a powerful diagnostic method of monitoring the state of the polymer. The solvent (water-free propylene carbonate or acetonitrile) can be reversibly exchanged during oxidation/reduction cycling and has little effect on the nature of the polymer formed, but influences the properties during the doping process greatly. In contrast, the ion present during polymerization (ClO4 or CF3SO3) seems to irreversibly influence the morphology of the film. The highly conjugated, low current form is to be preferred as a well-defined point of reference close to the intrinsic properties of pure polypyrrole.