COMPARATIVE-STUDIES OF ELECTROCHEMICALLY DEPOSITED POLY(O-TOLUIDINE) AND POLY(M-TOLUIDINE) FILMS

Under galvanostatic deposition conditions poly(o-toluidine) exhibits a higher rate of polymerization than poly(m-toluidine). This observatio n is supported by results obtained by different characterization techn iques such as spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy and ther mogravimetric analysis. The monomer concentration was found to be the predominant parameter in obtaining selectively a conducting salt phase in both cases. However, the morphology of these polymeric films does not reveal any particular relationship with monomer concentration; ins tead a mixed morphology, i.e. a combination of granules and fibres, is observed. Finally, the thermal stability of poly(m-toluidine) is lowe r than that of poly(o-toluidine) with a shift of 190 degrees C in the final decomposition temperature.