Template Synthesis of Conducting Polymeric Nanocones of Poly(3-methylthiophene)

The electrochemical synthesis of conducting poly(3-methylthiophene)nanocones on carbon cloth, employing an alumina membrane as a template, is reported. The morphological characterization has been done using high- resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for both the templatesynthesized and the template-free poly(3-methylthiophene). The morphology of the emplate-synthesized poly(3-methylthiophene)varies from hollow oriented nanocones to deformed nanocones and agglomerated forms (not in cone form)depending on the experimental conditions. The electrochemical properties of the nanocone electrode have been compared with those of the conventionally synthesized poly(3-methylthiophene)on carbon cloth, using cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The mpedance and cyclic voltammetric measurements revealed that there is a rapid charge transport within the nanocones and between the anocones and the electrolyte. The low impedance of dendritic poly(3-methylthiophene)nanocones is promising for their application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, where the internal resistances need to be minimized.