Enhanced electron transfer in composite films of reduced graphene oxide and poly(N-methylaniline)

Poly(N-methylaniline) (PNMA) has been electropolymerized for the first time from a graphene oxide (GO) dispersion containing 1.0 M HClO4. Both GO and perchlorate were incorporated in the PNMA matrix during the electropolymerization resulting in the formation of a mixed composite material of PNMA-ClO4 and PNMA-GO. Under the acidic polymerization conditions, the carboxylic groups of GO are undissociated and GO is therefore mostly mechanically entrapped in the PNMA matrix while perchlorate functions as the primary charge compensating ion. Electrochemical reduction at −0.85 V improved the electron transfer of the composite film due to reduction of GO in the PNMA matrix.