Photoemission and conductivity measurement of poly(N-methyl aniline) and poly(N-ethyl aniline) films

The studies involve the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and conducti vity measurements of poly(N-methyl aniline) and poly(N-ethyl aniline) films deposited electrochemically at different pH values of -0.96, 2.22, and 3.7 8 for N-methyl aniline and 1.10, 2.22, and 3.78 for N-ethyl aniline. The re sults obtained reveal significant differences in the film properties of the two matrices as a function of pH of solution. These differences are explai ned on the basis of the competitive reaction products formed during polymer ization in the two matrices along with the differences in the electron-dona ting ability of the methyl and ethyl groups present on the nitrogen (N) ato m. These results are further supported by the UV-Visible and IR data. (C) 1 999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.