Tuning the conductivity, morphology, and capacitance with enhanced antibacterial properties of polypyrrole by acriflavine hydrochloride

Abstract

In this study, a simple one-step preparation of polypyrrole (PPy) assisted by an organic dye, acriflavine hydrochloride (AF), was investigated. The presence of a dye resulted in the development of PPy nanofibers with the conductivity enhanced up to 14 S cm(-1). The structural analysis by Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies confirmed the interaction of the AF with PPy. As far as the electrochemical activity of PPy is concerned, the gravimetric capacitance increased up to 85 F g(-1) with the help of a AF. Additionally, a substantial improvement in the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria for all the PPy-containing organic dye was achieved. The conductivity, morphology, capacitance, and remarkable antibacterial properties of PPy tuned by an organic dye enable applications wherever the electroconductivity and antibacterial activity should meet requirements, for example, wound healing, electrochemical sensors, bioactuators, or even regenerative medicine.