Poly(o-toluidine) as the matrix for incorporation of palladium species from PdCl2 aqueous solutions

Reactivity of poly(o-toluidine) in the emeraldine base form (POT) and protonated with HCl (POT/HCl) in PdCl2 aqueous solutions of various HCl concentrations has been studied. Using elemental analysis, FTIR, UV–Vis, XPS and EXAFS spectroscopies as well as XRD and SEM it has been established that POT/HCl is more reactive than POT. The course of reactions is influenced by the type of the PdCl2 solution. Thus, protonation of POT with incorporation of palladium (II) chloro–and/or aquachloro–and/or chlorohydroxycomplexes counterions is the main process occurring in the PdCl2 solutions of higher HCl concentration. A redox reaction resulting in the oxidation of the polymer chain with simultaneous formation of metallic palladium takes place in the PdCl2 solution of lower HCl concentration. POT/HCl shows enhanced reducing properties with respect to POT. Lowering of the protonation level (i.e. some deprotonation) of POT/HCl has been also observed. Coordination of palladium (II) ions by nitrogen atoms of the polymer chain can be also postulated.