Electrochemical synthesis and spectroelectrochemical behavior of poly(diphenylamine-co-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone)

The electroactive copolymer of diphenylamine (DPA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DADPS) was synthesized electrochemically in 4 M H₂SO₄ and ethanol medium. Both electrochemical synthesis and characterization of the copolymer deposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) were carried out using cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms exhibited different patterns of behavior with different feed concentrations of DPA. Equimolar concentrations of DPA and DADPS demonstrated very efficient growth of the copolymer film on the surface of the GCE. The copolymer exhibited high solubility in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The scan rate exerted little-effect on this GCE copolymer film, revealing the film's excellent electroactive adherent properties. The effect of pH on the copolymer film showed that the polymer was electrochemically active up to pH 7.0. Spectroelectrochemical analysis of the copolymer film, carried out on an indium tin oxide (ITO) plate, showed multicolor electrochromic behavior when the applied potential was changed. The copolymer was characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectral data. The surface morphology was studied using SEM analysis, the grain size of the copolymer was measured using XRD studies and was found to be 56 nm. The electrical conductivity of the copolymer was 2.65 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹, as determined using a four-probe conductivity meter.     

Electrosynthesis of poly(aniline-co-p-aminophenol) having electrochemical properties in a wide pH range

Copolymerization of aniline and p-aminophenol in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions was electrochemically performed using cyclic voltammetry on platinum electrodes. The monomer concentration ratio can strongly affect the copolymerization rate and electrochemical property of the copolymer. The optimum conditions for the copolymerization are that the potential sweep covers the −0.20 to 0.95 V (vs. SCE) potential range, and that a solution contains 0.18 M aniline, 0.02 M p-aminophenol and 0.50 M H₂SO₄. A resulting copolymer synthesized under the optimum conditions has a good electrochemical activity in 0.50 M solutions of Na₂SO₄ with pH ≤ 10.0. IR and XPS spectra indicate that -OH groups and SO₄²⁻ ions are contained in the resulting copolymer. The SEM images reveal that the microstructure of the copolymer depends on the monomer concentration ratio during the electrolysis.     

A promising copolymer of aniline and m-aminophenol: Chemical preparation, novel electric properties and characterization

A copolymer, poly(aniline-co-m-aminophenol), was synthesized chemically. The monomer concentration ratio strongly affects the copolymerization rate and the properties of the copolymer. A solution consisting 0.34 M aniline, 0.012 M m-aminophenol, 0.47 M ammonium peroxydisulfate and 2 M H₂SO₄ was found to be an optimum mixture for the chemical copolymerization. The visible spectra show that a high concentration ratio of m-aminophenol/aniline in the mixture inhibits the chain growth of the copolymer. The spectra of IR and ¹H NMR demonstrate that m-aminophenol units are included in the copolymer chain, which play a key role in extending usable pH region of the copolymer. The result of cyclic voltammograms in a wide potential region of −0.20-0.80 V (vs. SCE) indicates that the copolymer prepared under the optimum condition still held 52.7% of the electrochemical activity when the copolymer electrode was transferred from a solution of pH 4.0 to a solution of pH 11.0, which is much better than that of polyaniline. The X-ray diffraction spectra and images of the copolymers reveal a fact that the changes in the crystal structure and morphology of the copolymers are as a function of the monomer ratio in the mixture. The conductivity of the copolymer prepared under the optimum condition is 2.3 S cm⁻¹ and slightly depends on the pH value.     

Electrochemical copolymerization of aniline with m-aminophenol and novel electrical properties of the copolymer in the wide pH range

A copolymer, poly(aniline-co-m-aminophenol), has been synthesized using repeated potential cycling. The monomer concentration ratio, acid concentration and applied potential strongly affect the copolymerization rate and the properties of the copolymer. The optimum conditions for the copolymerization are that the scan potential range is controlled between −0.10 and 0.95 V (vs.SCE), and a solution consists of 0.34 M aniline, 0.012 M m-aminophenol and 2 M H₂SO₄. The IR spectra of the copolymers demonstrate that the m-aminophenol units are included in the copolymer chains. The cyclic voltammograms of the copolymers in 0.3 M Na₂SO₄ solution with various pH values were performed at the potential ranges from −0.20 to 0.80 V and at a scan rate of 60 mV s⁻¹. The results indicate that the copolymer still hold 41.7% of the electrochemical activity when the copolymer electrode was transferred from a solution of pH 5.0 to a solution of pH 11.0 in the potential range of −0.20 to 0.80 V. An impedance plot of the copolymer in a solution with pH 12.0 and at 0.40 V is constructed of a semicircle and a Warburg line with a slope of 1. This means that the electrode reaction of the copolymer at pH 12.0 is also under mass transfer control. The conductivity of the copolymer prepared under the optimum conditions is 1.42 S cm⁻¹, and slightly depends on the pH value. Thus, the pH dependence of the electrical properties of the copolymer is improved compared with poly(aniline-co-o-aminophenol), and is much better than that of the parent polyaniline.     

Electrochemical copolymerization of m-toluidine and o-phenylenediamine

Electroactive copolymers of m-toluidine (MT) and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) were prepared electrochemically in aqueous sulfuric acid by potential cycling and characterized with cyclic voltametry, in situ conductivity measurements and FT-IR spectroscopy. The voltammograms of the copolymers exhibit different behavior for different concentrations of OPD in the comonomer feed. At optimum conditions the resulting poly(OPD-co-MT) shows an extended useful potential range of the redox activity as compared to the corresponding homopolymers. The effect of scan rate and pH on the electrochemical activity was studied. The copolymer was electrochemically active even at pH 8.0. The stability of the copolymer film was also tested. The copolymer has a potential region of maximum conductivity different from that of PMT and POPD. The conductivity of the copolymer is between the conductivity of the homopolymers. The vibrational bands at 3122/3450 and 2922/875 cm⁻¹ in the FT-IR spectra of the copolymer indicate the presence of both OPD and MT units, respectively, in the copolymer backbone.     

Development and application of a poly(2,2′-dithiodianiline) (PDTDA)-coated screen-printed carbon electrode in inorganic mercury determination

In this work, monomer solutions of aniline (ANI) and 2,2′-dithiodianiline (DTDA), an aniline derivative containing -S-S- links, were prepared and used in the electrochemical copolymerisation of ANI and DTDA by cyclic voltammetry on a screen-printed electrode (SPE) in 1 M HCl. Electropolymerisation of aniline on the surface of the screen-printed working electrode was performed by sweeping the potential between −500 and + 1100 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a sweep rate of 100 mV/s. Electrocopolymerisation was performed with a mixture of ANI and DTDA by sweeping the potential between −200 and + 1100 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a sweep rate of 100 mV/s [J.L. Hobman, J.R. Wilson, N.L. Brown, in: D.R. Lovley (Ed.), Environmental Microbe Metal Interactions, ASM Press, Herndon, Va, 2000, p. 177]. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) for each of the electrochemically deposited polyaniline (PANI) and the mixture of ANI and DTDA for the co-polymer polymerisation on SPCE were recorded for electrochemical analysis of the peak potential data for the mono and copolymer. Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) was used to evaluate a solution composed of (1 × 10⁻⁶ M HgCl₂, 0.1 M H₂SO₄, 0.5 M HCl), in the presence of the co-polymer sensor electrode. The Hg²⁺ ions were determined as follows: (i) pre-concentration and reduction on the modified electrode surface and (ii) subsequent stripping from the electrode surface during the positive potential sweep. The experimental conditions optimised for Hg²⁺ determination included the supporting electrolyte concentration and the accumulation time. The results of the study have shown the use of a conducting polymer modified SPCE as an alternative transducer for the voltammetric stripping and analysis of inorganic Hg²⁺ ions.     

Facile electrosynthesis of nitro-group-substituted oligopyrene with bicolored emission

Nitro-group-substituted oligopyrene (ONP) film with fairly high electrical conductivity (1.25 × 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹) and good thermal stability was electrochemically synthesized by direct anodic oxidation of its monomer 1-nitropyrene (NP) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The oxidation potential of NP in this medium was determined to be 1.12 V vs. SCE, which was lower than that in acetonitrile +0.1 mol L⁻¹ Bu₄NBF₄ (1.27 V vs. SCE). ONP films obtained from this medium showed good redox activity and structural stability in both BFEE and concentrated sulfuric acid. Fourier transform infrared spectra and theoretical calculations showed that the electropolymerization of the NP monomer mainly occurred at the C(3), C(6) and C(8) positions. The fluorescence spectra suggested that soluble ONP emits strong blue or green fluorescence when excited at 402 nm or 504 nm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy showed that highly crystalline nitro-group-substituted oligopyrene was formed on the electrode surface. All these results indicate that as-prepared ONP film has many potential applications in various fields.     

Raman spectroelectrochemical study of self-doped copolymers of aniline and selected aminonaphthalenesulfonates

Novel self-doped polyaniline-like copolymers have been prepared by electrochemical copolymerization of aniline with four aminonaphthalenesulfonates. All copolymer films prepared show their electrochemical redox activity even in pH-neutral solutions at a midpoint potential around 0.0 V versus Ag/AgCl. Raman spectroelectrochemical study of the copolymers prepared has been done with a red laser excitation (632.8 nm) within a broad electrochemical potential window of 0.0-1.0 V, and specific Raman features have been identified. Raman bands within the range of 1300-1400 cm⁻¹ have been discussed regarding localized or delocalized polaronic ν_s(CN⁺) vibrations. The influence of sulfonate group position in aminonaphthalenesulfonates on the parameters of polaronic bands has been demonstrated.     

Chemical anchoring of silica nanoparticles onto polyaniline chains via electro-co-polymerization of aniline and N-substituted aniline grafted on surfaces of SiO2

Chemical anchoring of silica nanoparticles onto polyaniline (PANI) chains was conducted through electro-co-polymerization of aniline and N-substituted aniline grafted on surfaces of silica nanoparticles. The grafting of N-substituted aniline on surfaces of silica nanoparticles were realized through hydrolysis of triethoxysilylmethyl N-substituted aniline (ND42) and the following condensation reaction with silanol groups on surfaces of SiO₂. Organic-inorganic interactions between PANI and SiO₂ involved in electro-co-polymerization process pushed the polymer chains apart and so facilitated the 1D growth of the polymer. Hence, the obtained hybrid film PANI/ND42-SiO₂ displayed nano-fibrous morphologies (ca. 50 nm in diameter). Consequently, PANI/ND42-SiO₂ exhibited an average specific capacitance of 380 F g⁻¹, ca. 40% higher than that of PANI/SiO₂ (276 F g⁻¹). The hybrid film also showed improved cyclic stability.     

Synthesis and high electrochemical activity of poly(aniline-co-2-amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid)

Poly(aniline-co-2-amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid) (PAAHB) was synthesized using chemical oxidative copolymerization of aniline and 2-amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid (AHB) in the presence of an ionic liquid at 50 °C. The conductivity of the PAAHB copolymer synthesized at the optimum conditions is 0.47 S cm⁻¹ that is lower than that of polyaniline, but is slightly affected by water. The cyclic voltammograms demonstrate that the PAAHB copolymer has excellent redox activity from highly acidic solution to pH 12.0 in a wider potential range. This is attributed to the synergistic effect of the SO₃⁻ and OH functional groups in the copolymer chain and the ionic liquid incorporated into the PAAHB film. It is evident that the pH dependence of the redox activity and conductivity of the PAAHB copolymer prepared chemically is much better than that of polyaniline, and is further improved, compared to the PAAHB copolymer prepared electrochemically. The proton NMR spectrum of the PAAHB copolymer demonstrates that the SO₃⁻ group exists in the copolymer chain instead of the SO₃H group. The ESR spectra show that the ESR signal intensity is a function of the monomer concentration ratio of AHB to aniline in the mixture. The morphology of the PAAHB copolymer is also dependent on the monomer concentration ratio in the mixture.     

Hydrogen evolution on conducting polymer electrodes in acidic media

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was studied on polyaniline (PAn), polypyrrole (PPy) and on aniline/pyrrole (PAn–PPy) copolymer in acidic solutions. The cathodic Tafel slopes (b_c) and exchange current densities (j₀) were calculated from Tafel curves obtained in solutions of X M H₂SO₄ (X = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 M). Activation energies (E_a) were determined. The E_a-values were found to be ca. 26 for PAn, 36.5 for PPy, 40.6 for PAn–PPy and 20.6 kJ mol⁻¹for Pt.     

A novel multichromic copolymer via electrochemical copolymerization of (S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl bis(N-(6-hexanoic acid-1-yl) pyrrole) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene

Copolymer based on (S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl bis(N-(6-hexanoic acid-1-yl) pyrrole) (BPL) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) is electrochemically synthesized and characterized. The comonomers exhibit relatively closer onset oxidation potentials, implying that the electrochemical copolymerization is relatively easy to be achieved. Electrochemical methods, FTIR, ¹H NMR and UV-vis analysis confirm that the resulting polymer is a copolymer rather than a blend or a composite of the respective homopolymers. Spectroelectrochemical analysis reveals that the copolymer film has distinct electrochromic properties from that of the BPL homopolymer film and shows six different colors under various potentials. At the neutral state of the copolymer, the π → π* transition absorption peak is located at 535 nm and E_g is calculated as 1.78 eV. The copolymer film shows a maximum optical contrast (ΔT%) of 31% and a switching time of 1.2 s which are higher and faster than those of the homopolymer of BPL (PBPL, 7.8% and 2 s). The new multichromic copolymer is thermally stable up to 345 °C and is electrochemically stable up to 1.39 V. SEM images illustrate that the copolymer film presents a much smoother surface than that of the respective homopolymers.     

Electroreduction of oxygen on gold-supported nanostructured palladium films in acid solutions

The electrochemical reduction of oxygen on thin Pd films with a nominal thickness of 0.25-10 nm on polycrystalline Au substrate (Pd/Au) was studied. The Pd films were prepared by electron beam evaporation and oxygen reduction was studied in 0.1 M HClO₄ and 0.05 M H₂SO₄ solutions using the rotating disk electrode (RDE) method. The surface morphology of Pd overlayers was examined by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). O₂ reduction predominantly proceeds through 4e⁻ pathway on all Pd/Au electrodes. The specific activity (SA) of oxygen reduction was lower in H₂SO₄ solution and decreased slightly with decreasing the Pd film thickness. In HClO₄, the SA was higher and not significantly dependent on the film thickness. The Tafel slope values close to −60 mV at low current densities and −120 mV at high current densities were found for all electrodes.     

Enhanced electrochromic performance of macroporous WO3 films formed by anodic oxidation of DC-sputtered tungsten layers

Self-organized macroporous tungsten trioxide (WO₃) films are obtained by anodic oxidation of DC-sputtered tungsten (W) layers on 10 mm × 25 mm indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass. Under optimized experimental conditions, uniformly macroporous WO₃ films with a thickness of ca. 350 nm are formed. The film shows a connected network with average pore size of 100 nm and a pore wall thickness of approximately 30 nm. The anodized film becomes transparent after annealing without significant change in macroporous structure. In 0.1 M H₂SO₄, the macroporous WO₃ films show enhanced electrochromic properties with a coloration efficiency of 58 cm² C⁻¹. Large modulation of transmittance (∼50% at 632.8 nm) and a switching speed of about 8 s are also achieved with this macroporous film.     

Electrochromic properties of a novel low band gap conductive copolymer

A copolymer of 2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1-p-tolyl-1H-pyrrole (DTTP) with 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT) was electrochemically synthesized. The resultant copolymer P(DTTP-co-EDOT) was characterized via cyclic voltammetry, FTIR, SEM, conductivity measurements and spectroelectrochemistry. Copolymer film has distinct electrochromic properties. It has four different colors (chestnut, khaki, camouflage green, and blue). At the neutral state λ_max due to the π-π^* transition was found to be 487 nm and E_g was calculated as 1.65 eV. Double potential step chronoamperometry experiment shows that copolymer film has good stability, fast switching time (less than 1 s) and good optical contrast (20%).An electrochromic device based on P(DTTP-co-EDOT) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was constructed and characterized. The device showed reddish brown color at −0.6 V when the P(DTTP-co-EDOT) layer was in its reduced state; whereas blue color at 2.0 V when PEDOT was in its reduced state and P(DTTP-co-EDOT) layer was in its oxidized state. At 0.2 V intermediate green state was observed. Maximum contrast (%ΔT) and switching time of the device were measured as 18% and 1 s at 615 nm. ECD has good environmental and redox stability.     

Electrochemical reduction of oxygen on thin-film Pt electrodes in acid solutions

The electrochemical reduction of oxygen on thin-film platinum electrodes in 0.1 M HClO₄ and 0.05 M H₂SO₄ solutions has been investigated using the rotating disk electrode (RDE) method. Thin films of Pt (0.25-20 nm thick) were prepared by vacuum evaporation onto glassy carbon substrate. The surface morphology of Pt films was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The specific activity of O₂ reduction was higher in HClO₄ and decreased with decreasing film thickness. In H₂SO₄, the specific activity was lower and appeared to be independent of the Pt loading. The values of Tafel slopes close to −120 mV dec⁻¹ in high current density range and −60 mV dec⁻¹ in low current density range were obtained for all electrodes in both solutions, indicating that the mechanism of O₂ reduction is the same for thin-film electrodes as for bulk Pt. The number of electrons transferred per O₂ molecule was close to four for all thin Pt films studied.     

Electrochemical synthesis of WO3/PANI composite for electrocatalytic reduction of iodate

Composite film of polyaniline (PANI) and tungsten oxide (WO₃) was electrodeposited by cyclic voltammetric technique from a solution of aniline and tungstic acid. The obtained WO₃/PANI film displayed a significant enhancement of electrocatalytic activity for iodate reduction and a better stability than that of pure WO₃ and PANI films. Result of amperometric experiment revealed a good linear relationship with concentration of IO₃⁻ from 20 to 500 μM, with a high sensitivity of 0.54 μA/μM and a detection limit of 2.7 μM for the determination of iodate. This composite film was also successfully applied in determination of iodate in commercial table salt.     

Mesoporous RuO2 for the next generation supercapacitors with an ultrahigh power density

The 3D mesoporous, well crystalline RuO₂ film prepared via the evaporation-induced self-assembled method (EISA) successfully demonstrates the extremely high power performances (e.g., excellent capacitive behavior at 10,000 mV s⁻¹, ultrahigh-frequency capacitive responses (the absence of a knee point in the Nyquist plot), and 2.6 MW kg⁻¹ with an acceptable energy density of 4.6 Wh kg⁻¹). These excellent capacitive performances were identified by means of voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analyses. The mesoporous (with mean pore spacing of 18.1 nm) and crystalline nature of this film was characterized by means of the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Brunaur-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXRS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), electron diffraction (ED), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. This mesoporous, well crystalline RuO₂ film constrains the redox transition to the superficial region meanwhile the tailored mesoporous structure increases the electrochemically active centers, promotes the penetration of electrolytes, provides the “proton reservoirs”, and enhances the rate of electron transport simultaneously for the ultrahigh power application. The specific capacitance of this mesoporous RuO₂ can be enhanced from 84 to 185 F g⁻¹ after the microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment.     

Development of a biomimetic chitosan film-coated gold electrode for determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid and uric acid

A gold electrode surface was modified using a dinuclear copper complex [Cu^II₂ (Ldtb)(μ-OCH₃)](BPh₄) and then coated with a chitosan film. This biomimetic polymer film-coated electrode was employed to eliminate the interference from ascorbic acid and uric acid in the sensitive and selective determination of dopamine. The optimized conditions obtained for the biomimetic electrode were 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 8.0), complex concentration of 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ M, 0.1% of chitosan and 0.25% of glyoxal. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 4.99 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.92 × 10⁻⁵ M, and detection and quantification limits were 3.57 × 10⁻⁷ M and 1.07 × 10⁻⁶ M, respectively. The recovery study gave values of 95.2-102.6%. The lifetime of this biomimetic sensor showed apparent loss of activity after 70 determinations. The results obtained with the modified electrode for dopamine quantification in the injection solution matrix were in good agreement with those of the pharmacopoeia method.     

Electropolymerization of aniline in acid media on the bare and chemically pre-treated aluminum electrodes: A comparative characterization of the polyaniline deposited electrodes

The electrosynthesis of polyaniline on the bare aluminum and pre-treated aluminum surface achieved in aqueous H₂PtCl₆ solution saturated with NaF for few seconds is described. The effect of some factors such as pre-treatment time, aniline and sulfuric acid concentrations on the electropolymerization process was investigated and optimum conditions were obtained. The stability of polyaniline film on the pre-treated aluminum electrode (Al-Pt) was studied as function of the potential imposed on the electrode. For applied electrode potentials of 0.1-0.7 V, the first-order degradation rate constant, k, of polyaniline film varies between 1 × 10⁻⁶ and 2 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, and a relatively low slope (i.e. 2.1) was obtained for the plot of log k versus E. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetric behavior of the polyaniline-deposited Al electrode (Al/PANI) and polyaniline-deposited Al-Pt electrode (Al-Pt/PANI) in 0.1 H₂SO₄ solutions is described. The electrocatalytic activity of the Al-Pt/PANI electrode against para-benzoquinone/hydroquinone (Q/H₂Q) and Fe(CN)₆³⁻/Fe(CN)₆⁴⁻ redox systems was investigated and the obtained results are compared with those obtained on Al/PANI and bulk Pt electrodes.