Electrosynthesis of Poly(azure B) from Sulfuric Acid Solution

Electrochemical polymerization of azure B from sulfuric acid solution was carried out by using cyclic voltammetry. The electrolytic solution consisted of 5.0 mmol · dm⁻³ azure B and 0.3 mol · dm⁻³ H₂SO₄. The temperature for polymerization was controlled at 20°C. A blue film, i.e., poly(azure B) was formed on a platinum foil and had a electrochemical reversibility, stability and a fast charge transfer ability in the 0.5 mol · dm⁻³ Na₂SO₄ with pH ≤4.0 solution. The currents of both anodic and cathodic peaks are proportional to υ^1/2 at the scan rate (υ) region of 25 and 600 mV · s⁻¹ on the cyclic voltammograms. The conductivity of poly(azure B) is 2.8×10⁻⁶ S · cm⁻¹ at 20°C. The UV‐visible spectrum and Raman spectrum of the polymer are different from those of the monomer. A possible polymerization mechanism of azure B was also proposed.

Keywords:

• conducting polymer
• electrochemistry and cyclic voltammetry

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Social Development Foundation of Zhenjiang (No.SH2006076). Thanks are given to Professor Shaolin Mu (Department of Chemistry, Yangzhou University) for the use of his laboratory facilities.