Layer-by-layer self-assembled conducting polymer films at elevated pressure investigated by surface plasmon spectroscopy with electrochemistry

Abstract

Polyaniline/sulfonated polyaniline (PANI/SPANI) multilayer films were fabricated using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. The electrochemical and optical properties of the film at elevated pressure were investigated by high-pressure surface plasmon spectroscopy combined with electrochemistry. Cyclic voltammograms of the PANI/SPANI films were performed at different hydrostatic pressure. It was found that the charge transfer currents decrease with elevated pressure. This indicates that the film becomes more compact with increasing hydrostatic pressure, which is confirmed by surface plasmon spectra, hinting at a substantial increase in the optical density. © Springer-Verlag 2007.