Mechanism of electrochemical reactions of polyaniline films formed under the conditions of cathodic oxygen reduction

Polyaniline films (further, CPANI) were obtained under the conditions of oxygen cathodic reduction in the aniline-containing solution on the electrodes of mixed indium tin oxide (ITO), graphite, and gold. CPANI films are characterized by redox processes in the potential ranges of 0.1–0.2 V and ～0.4 V (SCE). These processes are caused by the polymer chain fragments of different structure and the ratio between the peaks corresponding to these processes varies significantly as dependent on the synthesis conditions (electrode material, stirring, etc). The mechanism of electrode processes on CPANI is studied using the methods of cyclic voltammetry and quartz microgravimetry. It is found that only hydrogen cations and supporting electrolyte anions participate in the electrode process at the potentials of 0.1–0.2 V. The mechanism of redox processes on the obtained polymer films is discussed.