EFFECT OF ANIONS ON THE ELECTROSYNTHESIS, ELECTROACTIVITY AND MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE OF POLY(O-METHOXYANILINE)

The effect of different anions (Cl-, ClO4-) on the electrooxidation of o-methoxyaniline (o-MA), on the electroactivity of poly(o-methoxyanil ine) (POMA) and on the molecular structure of the polymer has been stu died. It has been found that the rate of o-MA oxidation is much higher in HCl than in HClO4 solution. It was also found that the nucleation and growth mechanisms of POMA films depend on anions being diffusion-c ontrolled progressive nucleation with three-dimensional growth in HCl solution and two-dimensional growth in HClO4. It was shown that the el ectroactivity of POMA depends on the composition of the polymerization bath and that the ability of POMA degradation increases in HCl soluti on. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.