Preparation and electroactivity of poly(thiophene) electrodes modified by electrodeposition of palladium particles

Poly(3-methyl-thiophene) (PMeT) electrodes modified by electrodeposition of palladium particles have been prepared. The effects of the various electrodeposition parameters, e.g. the charge passed and the applied electrical conditions, on the size and spatial distribution of the Pd particles in the PMeT matrix have been analyzed using SEM and TEM microscopy, EDX and X-ray diffraction. The electroactivity of these modified electrodes has been investigated in the case of oxygen reduction in aqueous medium by cyclic and rotating disk voltammetry. It is shown that the electrocatalytic properties of these modified electrodes are governed by the electrodeposition parameters controlling their composition and structure.