Electrochemical preparation of composite films containing cationic polyelectrolytes and cobalt hydroxide

Composite films consisting of cobalt hydroxide and weak cationic polyelectrolytes, such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and chitosan, were obtained by cathodic electrodeposition. The proposed method is based on the electrosynthesis of cobalt hydroxide from the solutions of CoCl 2 and electrophoretic deposition of the polymers. Cathodic deposits were obtained by the galvanostatic method on Pt and Ni substrates. The deposition yield was studied at different concentrations of the polymers and CoCl 2 in solutions. The deposits were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis and atomic force microscopy. The deposition mechanism is discussed. The results obtained pave the way for the fabrication of other organic–inorganic composites.