Electrochemically Mediated Polymerization of 2-Pentadecylaniline Confined to aPlanar Liquid-Liquid Interface

摘要

Spreading, isotherms, and polymerization of 2-pentadecylaniline at a planaraqueous electrolyte-organic interface were examined by monitoring the interfacial pressure employing the Wilhelmy-plate method. These results indicate the presence of monomer confined to the interface. Application of a voltage across the interface using stainless steel electrodes results in polymerization to form an electroactive polymer. The interfacial polymerization appears to be affected by metal ions formed by oxidation of the anode that have diffused into the aqueous electrolyte. This phenomenon is dependent on the nature of the electrode material as successful polymerization was not observed with other electrode materials. The polymer formed was soluble in polar organic liquids, was green in its reduced state, and blue in its oxidized state when oxidized and reduced chemically or electrochemically as a thin film. Cyclic voltammetry of the polymer indicates one reversible redox process suggesting that there are only two different oxidation states available, i.e., the equivalent to leucoemeraldine cannot be formed with poly(2-pentadecylaniline) in a thin film. However, the fully reduced yellow leucoemeraldine can be formed in chloroform solution by hydrazine reduction.