Electrosynthesis and properties of conducting polymers derived from aminobenzoic acids and from aminobenzoic acids and aniline

Abstract

The electrochemical polymerisation of 2-, 3-, and 4-aminobenzoic acids and of mixtures of aniline and aminobenzoic acids in various ratios has been carried out by cyclic potential sweep in sulphuric acid solution. Polymers are formed in all cases and the rate of polymerisation is increased by the addition of aniline. The polymers formed have been characterised voltammetrically and evidence concerning the polymer structure and chemical composition has been obtained from IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that 2-amino-, 3-amino- and 4-aminobenzoic acid all form short-chain conducting polymers. Films from polymerisation of aniline and aminobenzoic acid mixtures show characteristics of both components and demonstrate the influence of aminobenzoic acids and their oligomers on the electrochemical and morphological properties of polyaniline formed by electropolymerisation.