| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 188470 | Electrochimica Acta | 2012 | 7 Pages |
Although m-nitroaniline does not homopolymerize, copolymers of aniline with m-nitroaniline (poly (aniline-co-m-nitroaniline)) were readily synthesized in various molar ratios of co-monomers by chemical and electrochemical polymerization. The copolymerization rate decreased with an increasing ratio of m-nitroaniline in the monomer. The prepared copolymers were characterized by UV–vis spectra and FTIR spectra. Due to the presence of electron-withdrawing groups (NO2), two main adsorption bands of UV–vis spectra had an obvious blue shift, and the characterized peaks of nitro groups were found in FTIR spectra. The data verified the successful copolymerization of aniline with m-nitroaniline. Besides, m-nitroaniline could polymerize on a polyaniline-modified electrode to generate the polyaniline/poly(m-nitroaniline) composite using potential cycling. The formation of the composite was proven by the increase of redox current for the polymerization of m-nitroaniline. FTIR spectra and EDX spectra demonstrated its polymerization. The content of m-nitroaniline polymerized on polyaniline was calculated to be 22.7% of the composite after 50 cycles through XPS analysis. Hence, based on the polymerization of m-nitroaniline on polyaniline, it can be used to remove m-nitroaniline from aqueous solutions.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Poly (aniline-co-m-nitroaniline) was synthesized chemically and electrochemically. ► m-Nitroaniline could polymerize on polyaniline using potential cycling. ► The content of m-nitroaniline polymerized on polyaniline was 22.7% after 50 cycles. ► A new method for the removal of m-nitroaniline electrochemically was evaluated.
