Facile template-free electrochemical preparation of poly[N-(2-cyanoethyl)pyrrole] nanowires

In this paper the first synthesis of poly[N-(2-cyanoethyl)pyrrole] (PPyEtCN) in a nanowire morphology is reported. The method employed is a facile, one step electrochemical growth, which does not require the use of any templates or surfactants. Using optimised conditions the nanowires nucleate to give a homogeneous film across the electrode surface, with lengths of approximately 2 μm and diameters of approximately 150 nm. Structural information on the nanowires was obtained using vibrational spectroscopy. Evidence is presented to support an instantaneous 3-D nucleation and growth mechanism for the nanowires.