Fabrication of oxide and composite films using polymer - Metal ion complexes
Abstract
Composite films consisting of hydroxides of transition elements (M = Ni, Fe, Co, Mn) and polyethylenimine (PEI) were obtained via cathodic electrodeposition. The proposed method is based on electrophoretic deposition of polymer - metal ion complexes and electrochemical precipitation of metal hydroxides. Films up to several microns thick were obtained on Pt, Ni, graphite and carbon fiber substrates. Deposition yield was evaluated under various experimental conditions. By varying both the concentration of PEI in solutions and deposition time, the amount of the deposited material and its composition can be varied. The deposits were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanism of electrochemical intercalation of PEI into hydroxide deposits is discussed.