Immobilization of molybdenum oxide in polyaniline and electrocatalytic properties of the composite modified electrode

Polyaniline and molybdenum oxide composite modified electrode (PANI–MoO3) was prepared through immobilization of the oxide in the polymer matrix. The obtained composite was characterized by XPS and FTIR. Stability and electrocatalytic properties of the composite for the reduction of chlorate were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamerometry. It was found that the electrocatalytic activity of MoO3 towards the reduction of chlorate is improved by immobilization in PANI. The composite modified electrode showed a quick response time of 10 s to chlorate. Results of amperometric measurements at a working potential of 0.0 V vs. SCE showed that the composite modified electrode displayed linear amperometric responds to chlorate in a concentration range of 5 μM–10.0 mM with a lower detection limit (LOD) of 1.3 μM. The stability of MoO3 was also improved through immobilization in PANI.