The evolution of the molecular structure of polypyrrole during chemical polymerization

It was found that different molecular structures can be formed during chemical oxidation of aniline depending on various factors. These factors might change during the process of the reaction, leading to various reaction products. In this work, inspired by polyaniline, the chemical oxidation of pyrrole was analysed in order to find or disprove the existence of any dependence of the molecular structure of the pyrrole oxidation products on the stage of the reaction and describe the kinetics of the chemical oxidation of pyrrole. The polymerization proceeding was followed using various characterization techniques such as pH, temperature changes and open circuit potential. UV–Vis and surface-enhanced Raman spectra were measured at different time intervals. Results reveal the initiation of branching of the polypyrrole chain and the time dependence of overoxidation.