The electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid on polyaniline film synthesized in the presence of β-naphthalenesulfonic acid

Polyaniline–β-naphthalenesulfonic acid composite film on platinum electrode surface has been synthesized via the electrochemical polymerization of aniline in the presence of β-naphthalenesulfonic acid (NSA). FT-IR, UV-vis and electrochemical characterization indicate the formation of the doped polyaniline. Further investigations found that the polyaniline (PAN) doped with NSA extended the electroactivity of PAN in neutral and even in alkaline media. The PAN–NSA composite film coated platinum electrodes are shown to be good electrocatalytic surfaces for the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 7.0. The anode peak potential of AA shifts from 0.62 V at bare platinum electrode to 0.34 V at the PAN–NSA composite modified platinum electrode with greatly enhanced current response. A linear calibration graph is obtained over the AA concentration range of 5–60 mM using cyclic voltammetry. The kinetics of the catalytic reaction is investigated using rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results are explained using the theory of electrocatalytic reactions at chemically modified electrodes. The PAN–NSA composite film on the electrode surface shows good reproducibility and stability.