Electrochemical synthesis of self-doped polyaniline and its use to the electrooxidation of ascorbic acid

Self-doped polyaniline (PAN) film on platinum electrode surface has been synthesized via electrochemical copolymerization of aniline with orthanilic acid (OAA). Fourier transform infrared, UV-Vis, and elemental analysis indicate the formation of the copolymer and that the copolymer has the structure of a head-to-tail coupling of aniline and OAA units. It was found that the internal doping of PAN with OAA can extend the electroactivity of PAN in neutral and even in alkaline media. The obtained self-doped PAN (PAN-OAA)-coated platinum electrode is shown to be a good surface for the electrooxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) in phosphate buffer solution of pH 7. The anode peak potential of AA shifts from 0.63 V at bare platinum electrode to 0.34 V at the PAN-OAA-modified platinum electrode with greatly enhanced current response. A linear calibration graph is obtained over the AA concentration range of 5-60 mM using cyclic voltammetry. Rotating disk electrode voltammetry and chronoamperometry have been employed to investigate the electrooxidation of AA. The PAN-OAA-modified platinum electrode shows good stability and reproducibility.