Conducting Polymer Nanostructures and Nanocomposites with Carbon Nanotubes: Hierarchical Assembly by Molecular Electrochemistry, Growth Aspects and Property Characterization.

Conducting (or π-conjugated) polymers are promising materials for preparing supramolecular nano-structures and nanocomposites. We report controlled nanostructure syntheses of polypyrrole (PPy) and poylaniline (PANi) via electropolymerization (i.e., in-situ electrochemical anodic oxidation). The density, shape, caliber and thickness of self-assembled PPy micro-containers are regulated by electrochemical potential window for H2 bubbles and number of cyclic voltammetric (potentiodynamic) scans. Likewise, we employed amperometry, chronopotentiometry and potentiodynamic modes using hydrochloric acid as oxidizing agent to prepare PANi nanoparticles and nanotubules. We present our findings from the viewpoint of molecular electrochemistry with growth kinetic aspects yielding mechanistic details (initially forming dimers and oligomers as nucleating agents followed by polymer growth). Also targeted is forming nanocomposites with functionalized single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (FSWCNTs and FMWCNTs) as reinforced agent to optimize structural and functional properties. All of these novel nanomaterials are characterized using a range of complementary techniques to establish microscopic structure-property-function relationship.