Cyclic potential sweep electrolysis for formation of poly(2-vinylpyridine)coatings

A cyclic potential sweep (CPS) technique has been used to form coatings of poly(2-vinylpyridine) on mild steel substrates by electropolymerization of the monomer. This method can produce thick and uniform coatings of much hig her quality than can be formed by other electrochemical methods such as gal vanostatic electrolysis, constant cell-potential electrolysis and chronoamp erometry. The range and rate of the potential sweep during the CPS are impo rtant for successful coating formation. Potential sweeps between -1.0 and - 2.2 V vs SCE at rates from 10 to 50 mV s(-1) have been found to be most sui table for the formation of poly(2-vinylpyridine) coatings. The essential re ason for the successful application of the CPS technique to the electropoly merization process is the compatibility of the nature of the CPS process an d the mechanism of 2-vinylpyridine electropolymerization.