Deposition of Polypyrrole Onto Bucky Gel for Use in a Biomimetic Artificial Excitable Cell Membrane

Abstract

A novel and inexpensive bucky gel electrode was investigated for use as the electrode substrate for polypyrrole deposition. Potentiostatic deposition of polypyrrole onto gold and bucky gel electrodes was carried out at +1.2 V versus saturated calomel electrode for 1 h in a standard three-electrode electrochemical cell. The electroactive polypyrrole membrane was successfully deposited onto bucky gel, and its surface morphology studied using scanning electron microscopy. Given the bucky gel’s dual ability to both conduct electricity and ions, this work establishes the first step toward a semisolid ion-gating system to be used in further applications.