Raman spectroelectrochemical study on the kinetics of electrochemical degradation of polyaniline

The kinetics of electrochemical degradation of polyaniline and a copolymer of aniline and metanilic acid have been studied by in situ Raman spectroscopy at a gold electrode. It has been concluded that probably no drastic changes in polymer structure occur on prolonged electrochemical treatment of polymer films at a high electrode potential (0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Instead, most prominent changes relate to a gradual decrease of an overall intensity of spectra, viz. to gradual degradation of a polymer layer. The degradation proceeds faster at pH 1.0, compared to pH 7.0. The kinetic results obtained have been analyzed following simple 2- or 3-parameter exponential decay equations, and compared with the known degradation rate constants.