| Abstract: | The variation of film structure and properties with growth conditions was examined for poly(2‐allyl)phenylene‐oxide films grown electrochemically on a mild steel substrate from a basic hydro‐alcoholic monomer solution, to establish the best conditions for the production of thin, continuous, adherent films. The use of sodium hydroxide as the base led to the production of discontinuous, irregular films (upon drying). Substitution of allylamine as the base produced continuous, regular films, initially gel‐like, but becoming hard and glassy upon drying or thermal treatment. Film thickness increased substantially as the pH was raised from 9.0 to 11.0, with substrate corrosion decreasing over the same range. Platinum was used as a comparable noncorroding substrate. Film thickness also increased with monomer concentration, but current flow minimized at a monomer concentration of 0.25M. Double bond functionality was retained through the polymerization process, but lost upon heat curing of the polymer films. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1563–1571, 2001 |
