Electrochemical polymerization of aniline on aluminum electrode from an oxalic acid and H2SO4 solutions

Abstract

In this study, the polymerization of aniline on Al and Pt electrode was examined by cyclic voltammetry There had been reversible reaction on AI electrode. But on the other hand there had been irreversible reaction on Pt electrode. The addition of aniline into the solution led the decrease of current values. The current decreased by adsorption of anodic products on polymer surface. The fact that the anodic peak potential shifted to positive value shows that polyaniline (PANI) catalyzed the formation of polymer. This case shows that the aniline shifted the electrode potential to positive side by the adsorption on the surface. When Al electrode covered with polymer (in 50 mV s –1 potential scanning rate after 20 cycles) was immersed into 1 N HCl solution, the inorganic layer decomposed on the metal surface. This led to decrease the polarization resistance of the metal. SEM microphotographs and EDX fingerprints also confirmed these results.