Electrosynthesis of conducting poly(o-aminophenol) films on Pt substrates: a combined electrochemical and XPS investigation

XPS investigation supported the presence of linear dimers during the induction period and allowed to attribute unambiguously a phenazine-like closed structure to the finite film. The reduced state of PoAP was characterized and showed nitrogen functionalities with binding energies intermediate between fully protonated and neutral ones. The presence of carbonyls terminal groups was also stated together with hydrating water. Heating experiments in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions have revealed water molecules so strongly entrapped along the polymer chain through hydrogen bonds to be removed only at 200 °C.