Electrochemical activity and microscopy of electrosynthesised poly(o-phenylenediamine) nanotubes

Poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) nanotube electrodes were obtained by templated electropolymerization employing anodic porous alumina membrane. Infrared Spectroscopy measurements confirmed the polymerization of oPD into the alumina templates. The electrochemical activity of the PoPD nanotube electrodes were assessed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) as a function of monomer concentration. The morphology of the obtained nanostructures was assessed by scanning electron microscopy measurements. The results showed that poly(o-phenylenediamine) nanotube arrays have uniform diameter and they match the aspect ratio of the anodic porous membrane used for the synthesis. A high filling factor of the polymer within the alumina template was also revealed. The CV studies showed that the electrochemical properties of the PoPD nanotubes are greatly influenced by the monomer concentration in the synthesis electrolyte.