Preparation, characterisation and diffusion studies of polypyrrole, poly(1,6-di(N-pyrrolyl)hexane) and poly(N-dodecylpyrrole)

Polypyrrole and its derivatives are important conductive polymers with potential applications in energy storage and electrochromic displays. Their performance depends on the polymer morphology and the diffusion rates of mobile ions in the solid polymers. We report the diffusion coefficients of various dopant counter-anions into electrosynthesised polypyrrole films, the cyclic voltammetry behaviour of the doped polymers and the effects of the electrolyte on the morphology of the polymer. The diffusion properties of electrochemically-prepared poly(N-dodecylpyrrole) and polypyrrole films were investigated in electrochemical cells containing a wide range of anion/cation combinations, and the effects of ion size on the diffusion coefficients were evaluated.