Degradation of microporous polyaniline film by UV-ozone treatment

Thin microporous polyaniline films in the emeraldine-base form (PANI-EB) have been prepared electrochemically at a potential of 0.8 V. The effect of ozone treatment on the structural changes of polyaniline thin films has been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, SEM and EPR. Surface analysis showed that oxidation occurs mainly at the carbon atoms, resulting in the formation of CO and COOH species. The degradation reaction seems to be preferentially directed towards the quinoneimine units. At high extent of carbon oxidation, UV-ozone treatment may involve the direct oxidation of the nitrogen atoms to form -NOx species.