Effect of anions on the electrosynthesis, electroactivity and molecular structure of poly(o-methoxyaniline)

The effect of different anions (Cl−, ClO4−) on the electrooxidation of o-methoxyaniline (o-MA), on the electroactivity of poly(o-methoxyaniline) (POMA) and on the molecular structure of the polymer has been studied. It has been found that the rate of o-MA oxidation is much higher in HCl than in HClO4 solution. It was also found that the nucleation and growth mechanisms of POMA films depend on anions being diffusion-controlled progressive nucleation with three-dimensional growth in HCl solution and two-dimensional growth in HClO4. It was shown that the electroactivity of POMA depends on the composition of the polymerization bath and that the ability of POMA degradation increases in HCl solution.