Incorporation of cobalt-ferrite nanoparticles into a conducting polymer in aqueous micellar medium: strategy to get photocatalytic composites

In this study an easy strategy for conducting polymer based nanocomposite formation is presented through the deposition of cobalt-ferrite (CoFe(2)O(4)) containing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin layers. The electrochemical polymerization has been performed galvanostatically in an aqueous micellar medium in the presence of the nanoparticles and the surface active Triton X-100. The nanoparticles have been characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the thin layers has been studied by applying Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the basic electrochemical properties have been also determined. Moreover, electrocatalytic activity of the composite was demonstrated in the electrooxidation reaction of dopamine (DA). The enhanced sensitivity - related to the cobalt-ferrite content - and the experienced photocatalyitic activity are promising for future application.