Non-lithographic electrochemical patterning of polypyrrole arrays using single-layered colloidal templates on HOPG surface: effects of electrodeposition time and field-gradient

Highly ordered conducting polypyrrole sub-micropore arrays were formed on HOPG substrates using the single-layer non-lithographic colloidal templating technique and electrodeposition method. The morphology and the opening sizes on the sub-micropores were highly dependent on the electrodeposition time and thickness. Various shapes of the polymeric arrays were observed including: honeycombs, flat ring-shape, and hollow shells—which can appear on the same sample surface due to gradients on the electrical charge (or distance) passed through a conducting sample.