Grafting and electrochemical characterisation of poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films, on Nafion and on radiation-grafted polystyrenesulfonate–polyvinylidene fluoride composite surfaces

The preparation and characterisation of poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxy)thiophene (PEDOT) films coated onto fluorocarbon membranes containing sulfonate groups, such as Nafion-117 and poly(styrene-4-sulfonate)-grafted poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF-g-PSSA) membranes is described. The PEDOT layer is found to adhere very strongly on to both membranes, and is highly conductive. The organic polymer membranes can be used directly as working electrodes in electrochemical experiments, without any inert metal or semiconductor support. The composite materials are characterised by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).