Conducting polymer nanotube and nanowire synthesized by using nanoporous template: Synthesis, characteristics, and applications

We synthesized nanotubes and nanowires of conducting polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), and polyaniline by using nanoporous template through electrochemical polymerization method. The DBSA, CSA, TBAPF₆, or HClO₄ was used for dopant, and distilled water, acetonotrile, or NMP was used for solvent. From the SEM and TEM pictures, the formation of conducting polymer nanotube (CPNT) and nanowire (CPNW) was confirmed. The diameter and length of CPNT and CPNW were ∼ 200 nm and 10 ∼40 μm. The length, nanotube, nanowire, and thickness of wall were determined from synthetic conditions such as polymerization time, current, and dopant. For structure, we investigated UV/Vis absorbance spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns. DC conductivity and I-V characteristic curve were measured for the systems prepared with various conditions of synthesis. For applications for CPNT and CPNW, we measured field emission characteristic curve for FED and capacitance.