Electrochemical properties and stabilization of conducting poly(diarylanilines) in acetonitrile

Electrochemical properties and stability of conducting poly(diarylanilines) have been studied by cyclic voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry in acetonitrile. The influence of water and organic acids adding into the electrolyte has been evaluated. The degradation of the polymers at high potential was considered to arise from the interaction between bipolaron carriers in the oxidized polymers and water. The stabilization of the polymers in acetonitrile by adding organic acids has been observed. The mechanism of the stabilization, based on the acid-base reaction between acid and water which is a base in acetonitrile, is proposed.