A novel electrolyte 1-ethylimidazolium trifluoroacetate used for electropolymerization of aniline

A Bronsted acidic ionic liquid 1-ethylimidazolium trifluoroacetate (HEImTfa) was prepared with high yield and used as a novel electrolyte for electropolymerization of aniline. HEImTfa played an important role in increasing the electrochemical polymerization rate of aniline. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that polyaniline prepared in HEImTfa (PAN-HEImTfa) was composed of significantly regulated nano-structures, which was smooth and homogeneous with a perfect-adhesion to Pt matrix. The electrocatalytic activity of PAN-HEImTfa for oxidation of formic acid was quite high and stable.