Multifunctional Nanostructured Coatings: Biomedical, Environmental, and Energy Applications - Chapter 12: Recent trends of micro and nanostructured conducting polymers for environmental applications

Conductive polymers represent a unique class of polymeric materials that exhibit electrical and optical properties akin to those of inorganic semiconductors. Among the commonly known examples are polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPy), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and polyacetylene (PA). These materials possess a unique combination of characteristics, making them attractive for various applications. Electrochemical synthesis is a fundamental approach for manufacturing conductive polymers as it allows precise control over doping and polymer structure, resulting in materials with specific properties. In turn, detailed characterization of these materials using techniques such as electrochemical microscopy, conductivity analysis, and electrochemical measurements is essential for understanding their properties and optimizing their application in fields like sensors and modified electrodes for electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis. Thanks to their distinct characteristics, conductive polymers are particularly well-suited for sensitive detection and effective removal of contaminants. Their use can enhance the performance of the systems in which they are applied, enabling the creation of robust and high-performance devices for environmental monitoring and degradation of pollutants. Consequently, conductive polymers are ideal for the development of sensitive and selective sensors capable of detecting pollutants at low concentrations in the environment. These sensors have the ability to continuously monitor the presence of pollutants, facilitating a rapid and efficient response to environmental issues. In addition, conductive polymers find applications in catalytic and photoelectrocatalytic devices for pollutant degradation. This chapter serves to emphasize the importance of electrochemical synthesis, characterizations, and the environmental application of these materials, specifically in detecting and removing pesticides, organic molecules, toxic metals, and polluting and harmful gases.