Templateless synthesis of polypyrrole nanowires by non-static solution-surface electropolymerization

Polypyrrole nanowires (PPy-NWs) are synthesized by a novel templateless approach based on non-static solution-surface (NSSS) electropolymerization. The mechanism responsible for PPy-NW formation is the simultaneous oxidation of pyrrole and water, with concomitant formation of hydroxyl radicals and dioxygen nanobubbles. In particular, a localized PPy-NW deposition at the solution-air interface is enabled by solution- surface electropolymerization due to the surface excess of the monomer at the interface