Electropolymerization of m-aminophenol on expanded graphite and its electrochemical properties

The electrochemical polymerization of m-aminophenol on expanded graphite has been carried out in acidic solution using repeated potential cycling between −0.4 and 1.6 V (vs. SCE). The electrolytic solution consisted of 0.01 M m-aminophenol and 0.3 M H2SO4. A blue film, i.e. poly (m-aminophenol) (PmAP) was formed on the expanded graphite, and it has good electrochemical activity in solution with low pH value. The polymerization behavior of m-aminophenol on the expanded graphite electrode is quite different from that of m-aminophenol on metal or glassy carbon electrodes, and the functional groups on the surface of the expanded graphite play an important role in the autocatalytic polymerization of m-aminophenol. The synthesized PmAP was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on FT-IR, the structure of PmAP is proposed in this paper.

During the polymerization, the peak currents increase with increase in the number of potential cycles. The autocatalytic polymerization is attributable to the –OH groups on the surface of expanded graphite.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Expanded graphite plays an important role in the polymerization of m-aminophenol.
► The electrochemical activity of PmAP decreases with increasing pH values.
► According to the FT-IR spectrum, the chemical structure of PmAP is proposed.