Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of poly[8-(3-acetylimino-6-methyl-2,4-dioxopyran)-1-aminonaphthalene] film electrodes in acidic aqueous medium

The electrooxidation of 8-(3-acetylimino-6-methyl-2,4-dioxopyran)-1-amino-n aphthalene Schiff base in acidic aqueous solution containing 0.1 M H2SO4 yi elded a polymer film on glassy carbon electrode. The electrooxidative polym erization process was studied by potential sweep electrolysis and controlle d potential electrolysis. The film showed a reversible well-defined redox s ystem in aqueous acidic solutions. The factors that affected the electroact ivity of the film, such as scan repetition, number of cycles used for the f ilm formation, concentration of sulphuric acid in the electrolytic medium a nd scan sate (v) were studied in detail. The modified electrode was shown t o decrease the overpotential for oxidation of some redox species, such as c atechol, hydroquinone. In addition to the decrease in overpotential, there was also an increase in the current for the oxidation process. The electrod e was stable chemically and electrochemically both in aqueous and organic s olutions, making it excellent candidate for sensing and/or electrocatalytic applications. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.