Thin films of monomeric species polythiophene (PTh), poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and the copolymer PTh/PEDOT were prepared through electropolymerization and deposited above fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. The functional groups of the monomeric species (PTh, PEDOT) and polymeric species (PTh/PEDOT) were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, while morphological properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The analysis showed that monomers films exhibited less material deposition; otherwise, the copolymer PTh/PEDOT showed better deposition on substrate. In addition, the electrochemical characterization showed that the materials that resulted from copolymerization presented an improvement in electrochemical properties relating to monomer properties. The effect of overoxidation of the monomers applied during the electropolymerization process is also known.
This study presents the successful electrodeposition of polyaniline (PANI) and TiO2/PANI composites on boron-doped diamond (BDD) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates via cyclic voltammetry. Using 20 scan cycles in 0.5 M H2SO4, we synthesized thin films with tailored electrochemical properties. The formation of PANI was confirmed by characteristic redox peaks in the voltammograms, while FTIR spectroscopy identified key functional groups and bonding interactions between TiO2 and PANI. Morphological analysis via optical and scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform but cracked surfaces influenced by TiO2 loading. Composite electrodes with molar ratios of 2:1, 4:1, and 6:1 (TiO2:PANI) were compared, showing increased titanium content with higher ratios, as confirmed by EDS. This work offers a reproducible route for designing modified electrodes with enhanced interfacial properties.
With TEMPO oxidation, it was possible to incorporate iron nanostructures into a cellulose nanofiber matrix. FTIR spectra showed the functional groups present in the films. The combination of both iron and CNF confers to the films good electrochemical activity; the electrochemical characterization (CV) showed that they present stability in the reduction process at a potential of 0–1 V, with the materials with 5% and 10% being the most active. The Pb reduction process shows that the 5% film is the material with the highest oxidizing capacity.