Electrografting and electropolymerization of nanoarrays of PANI filaments through silica mesochannels

Vertically aligned mesoporous silica films electrogenerated on indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes are used as hard templates for the electrochemical growth of polyaniline (PANI) nanofilaments. To ensure proper adhesion PANI to underlying ITO surface, aniline moieties first covalently attached bottom mesochannels via electrografting aminophenyl diazonium cations, serving in a second step precursors by electropolymerization through mesochannels. This was achieved cyclic voltammetry or potentiostatically at an applied potential +0.85 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), latter offering better control nanofilaments length tuning time. wires remain after etching membrane, confirming importance initial electrografting. Although membrane electroactive, enhanced peak currents were observed removal offer larger effective surface area electrolyte solution.