Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) growth on the surface of horizontally aligned MWCNT electrode

The process of conjugated polymer deposition on the surface of horizontally aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube, HA-CNT, electrode is described. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT, was grown electrochemically under variable conditions in both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions of selected electrolytes. It is shown that the mechanism of nucleation highly depends on the reaction environment. The presence of a surfactant or non-aqueous medium favors the process of progressive nucleation in which the polymer growth is uniform and a homogeneous film of PEDOT is formed. It is demonstrated that the conditions make it is possible to cover the outer walls of individual HA-CNTs instead of forming thick polymer layer. The application of overpotential is proven to be a necessary condition to generate radical cations and cause relatively fast growth of polymer layer.