Novel synthesis medium for poly(aniline-co-o-anisidine)

Aqueous sodium oxalate (NaOX) solutions both without (1) and with (2) p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) were used to synthesize a poly(aniline-co-o-anisidine) (PANI-co-POA) film on mild steel (MS). Polarization of the substrate in p-TSA containing NaOX solution mixture led to the passivation of the surface mainly via the formation of an iron(II) oxalate layer. Copolymer coatings showed that p-TSA + NaOX solution mixture was a suitable medium for the deposition of a uniform, compact and strongly adherent PANI-co-POA coating on MS electrode. Similar coating was achieved when NaOX solution was used free of p-TSA. It was observed that addition of p-TSA in NaOX solution provided also an increase in electropolymerization rate. Evaluation of the anticorrosion performance of copolymer coatings in 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated by using AC impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique and anodic polarization curves. Both copolymer coatings exhibited a significant physical barrier property against the attack of corrosive products on mild steel, in longer periods.