Electrocatalytic behaviour of conducting poly o-toluidine at O2 and N2 atmospheric condition

Abstract

Poly (o-toluidine) (PoT) was synthesised by chemical polymerization method using ammonium persulphate as oxidizing agent. The para disubstituted aromatic rings band at 813 cm−1, indicating the polymer formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The characterization of the polymer amorphous crystalline form was carried out using X-ray diffraction method (XRD). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image showed uniformly distributed fibrous spongy like morphology. A thermal property of the polymer was evaluated by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Electrochemical characterization studies were carried out to compare the improved performance of PoT modified GCE (PoT/GCE) in optimum pH1.0 under different atmospheric condition by cyclic voltammetry (CV). It was proved that the nitrogen atmosphere enhanced the electrocatalytic activity toward methanol reduction as indicated by the increased reduction peak current in linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). It has been observed that PoT/GCE has good oxygen reduction ability, and also enhances methanol reduction. Diffusion coefficient values were calculated for PoT/GCE in different atmospheric condition using Chronoamperometric and Chronocoulometric studies. The double layer capacitance value of the resistance is 1.5948 × 10−10F/cm2 which was determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).