Nanoveneers: An electrochemical approach to synthesizing conductive layered nanostructures

We report herein a facile electrochemical approach to synthesizing various layered composite films of nanomaterials and conducting polymers, called nanoveneers. Layered structures of polypyrrole film with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), graphene, and Au nanoparticles have been obtained by electropolymerization of pyrrole molecules on a heavily doped silicon wafer preloaded with target conductive nanomaterials. A free-standing, transparent, and highly conductive composite film was achieved after peeling off from a silicon wafer. Different from traditional homogeneous composite materials, such kinds of nanoveneers combined to the best extent the structural continuity and processability of conducting polymers with the high conductivity and functionality of discontinuous SWNTs, graphene, and other nanomaterials. The layered electrochemical deposition provides a great freedom for constructing various nanostructures with well-controlled geometry and thus physicochemical properties, as demonstrated by SWNT/polypyrrole nanoveneers. These nanoveneers are particularly attractive in areas of chemical sensors, labels, transparent electronics, and optoelectronics.