The electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid on polyaniline film synthesized in the presence of camphorsulfonic acid

Abstract

Polyaniline–camphorsulfonic acid (PAN–CSA) composite film on platinum electrode surface has been synthesized via the electrochemical polymerization of aniline in the presence of camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). It was found that the doping of polyaniline (PAN) with CSA extends the electroactivity of PAN in neutral and even in alkaline media. The PAN–CSA composite film coated platinum electrodes are shown to be good electrocatalytic surfaces for the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 7.0. The anodic peak potential of AA shifts from 0.63 V at the bare platinum electrode to 0.34 V at the PAN–CSA composite modified platinum electrode with a greatly enhanced current response. A linear calibration graph is obtained over the AA concentration range of 5–50 mM using cyclic voltammetry. The kinetics of the catalytic reaction are investigated using rotating disk electrode voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results are explained using the theory of electrocatalytic reactions at chemically modified electrodes. The PAN–CSA composite on the electrode surface shows good reproducibility and stability.