Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Vol.474, No.2, 113-122, 1999
Electrodeposition of copper into functionalized polypyrrole films
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 electroreductive 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.
Keywords:AQUEOUS METHANOLIC SOLUTIONS;RANEY-NICKEL ELECTRODES;ELECTROCATALYTIC HYDROGENATION;ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION;PLATINUM MICROPARTICLES;CARBON ELECTRODES;ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS;DEVARDA COPPER;ANION-EXCHANGE;GLASSY-CARBON