Polypyrrole free-standing electrodes sense temperature or current during reaction

The electrochemical activity of self-supported thick (70 ¿m) polypyrrole films electrogenerated in a mixed electrolyte of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid and LiClO4 was studied in aqueous solutions of LiClO4. This material inhibits hydrogen evolution up to cathodic potentials of -3.0 V versus Ag/AgCl. During oxidation or reduction reactions under galvanostatic conditions, the electrical energy consumed for a constant charge is a function of either the working temperature or the flowing current. As a consequence any electrochemical device, moreover artificial muscles, constructed with reactive conducting polymers is expected to work simultaneously as a sensor of the working temperature. © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry.