Electrochemical and morphological analysis on novel phthalocyanine grafted conductive polymeric nanofibers

Metal free phthalocyanine grafted polypyrrole and cobalt metallated phthalocyanine grafted polypyrrole nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning method. The electrospun PPy and phthalocyanine grafted polypyrrole fibers were coated on indium tin oxide electrode surface for a proper investigation of the electrochemical activity of the fibers. Different methods were used to characterize the obtained fibers. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope and polarized optical microscope were used for their morphological characterization, while electrical behaviors of the nanofibers were characterized by direct current and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The synthesis and characterization results showed that the incorporation of phthalocyanine metal chelate affected the electrical behavior of the fibers. The electrical conductivity of the Polyvinylpyrrolidone fiber was improved by grafting cobalt metallated phthalocyanine to the polypyrrole main chain, while the unmetallated phthalocyanine showed an unforeseen electrical property.