A study of electropolymerization of N,N-dimethylaniline

Electrochemical oxidation and polymerization of N,N-dimethylaniline at a gold electrode have been studied in an acidic solution. Both potential cycling and electrolysis at a controlled potential yield a thin film of a polymer that shows electrochemical activity in acidic and pH-neutral solutions. Raman spectra of sulfate- and polystyrenesulfonate-doped polymer have been obtained and analyzed. Two possibilities for electropolymerization have been considered – a simple polymerization yielding a “true” poly(N,N-dimethylaniline), and polymerization accompanied by a partial demethylation yielding poly(N-methylaniline). Based on the results obtained, the first one has been considered as most likely.