Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous silica-conducting polymers and cupric oxide thin film electrodes

Mesoporous silica is an inorganic substrate with the ability to be functionalized in order to be used in a variety of applications including sensing, catalysis, and drug design. Enhancement of the electrical properties can be achieved through a surface acid-catalyzed polymerization using various conducting polymers. In particular, the polymerization of ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) to poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) on the surface of a 2D hexagonal structured mesoporous silica (MSU-H), will be discussed as well as the solvation and pH effects on conductivity. Metal oxides have unique characteristics that make them desirable in applications such as energy storage and conversion, sensing, catalysis, and photoelectrochemistry. The use of copper oxides for these applications can be highly advantageous due to their low cost and low toxicity when they can be produced. Herein, we will discuss the use of electrodeposition to control the morphology of cupric oxide into a high surface area thin film electrode and the implications of the findings