Electrodeposition of Composite Ceria-Polyethylenimine Films

A combined electrophoretic-electrolytic deposition method was applied to the fabrication of composite organic-inorganic films. Composite films consisting of ceria and polyethylenimine (PEI) were obtained via cathodic electrodeposition on Ni, Pt, graphite and carbon felt substrates. By varying the concentration of PEI in solutions and the deposition time, the amount of deposited material and its composition could be controlled. The deposits were studied by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and SEM. A mechanism of electrochemical intercalation of the cationic polymer into ceria deposits is discussed.