The impedance of poly(Aniline) electrode films.

Thin molecular films can significantly modify the electric and chemical properties of metal and semiconductor surfaces. The electrochemical oxidation of aniline leads to the formation of electronically conducting polymer films with submicron thicknesses. Interfacial impedance studies in electrolytes under both potentiostatic and dynamic conditions are shown capable of measuring electronic and ionic conductivities together with the coulombic capacities of these films. The electronic conductivity is reversibly dependent on a proton-electron injection/depletion process, both conductivity and capacity are irreversibly diminished at high depletion levels. This deactivation is attributed to the rupture of crosslinks between chains of conducting polymer molecules.