Microstructured electrodeposited polypyrrole–phthalocyanine hybrid material, from morphology to ammonia sensing

Abstract

Hybrid materials combining polypyrrole with ionic macrocycles as counterions are electrosynthesized at the surface of platinum interdigitated electrodes. The chemical composition of the hybrid films is characterized by infrared reflexion absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) and their morphology is studied by a range of techniques such as optical topomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The obtained films reveal to be more homogeneous, with smaller crystallites, compared to polypyrrole synthesized with small counterions. Finally, the films exhibit a higher sensitivity to ammonia, with a very good reversibility and with a stable response in a broad range of relative humidity. Overall, we present the advantages of combining ionic phthalocyanines with polypyrrole in enhancing the properties of the final material. Synergetic effects in the structure and properties of polypyrrole–phthalocyanine materials open the way to their development in the field of hybrid material and their use in chemosensing.