Voltammetric and electrosynthetic triggered gel formation

An electrochemical method has been introduced to trigger the gelation process between catechol and chitosan. The process is based on the initial heterogeneous oxidation of catechol at an electrode surface with subsequent homogeneous polymerisation with chitosan. It is characterised using square-wave voltammetry (SWV) and large amplitude Fourier Transformed ac voltammetry (FTACV). The first employment of FTACV on this crosslinking process indicates a consistent response as SWV with a viscous gel being formed at the electrode surface. The application of bulk electrolysis at a carbon foam electrode, for scale up to form a homogeneous gel has been subsequently demonstrated. The resulting gel properties have been characterised by several techniques with its thermal stability at ca. 250 °C proving it an appealing candidate for various conditions.