Electroconducting materials based on polypyrrole

Abstract

Polypyrrole, along with polyacetylene, polyparaphenylene polyaniline, polythiophene and other polymers structured by conjugated double bonds, is considered as one of the most attractive conducting materials for various applications, such rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, sensors, gas membranes, magnetic shields, etc. Regarding their biocompatibility and biodegradability in addition to the possibility of controlling their porosity, as well as incorporation of different biological species, and latter by stimulation (e.g. applying electrical field) to control the release of these moieties from polymer matrix, make these polymers suitable for preparation of drug delivery systems, as well as tissue engineering applications. On the other hand, problems concerning poor mechanical properties and environmental instability could be compensated by preparation of blends, copolymers or composite materials. Systems including two components, e.g. conjugated polymers and carbons, supplement the two diverse electrochemical behaviors of both. Lately, composites of polypyrrole, with pseudocapacitance properties and/or carbons (activated carbon, carbon nanotubes) showing double layer capacitance, have been reported in the literature. So, we have made an effort to outline some of most significant results published.