Catalytic polymerization of N-methylthionine at electrochemically reduced graphene oxide electrodes

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 283; pp. 1649 - 1659
• Main Authors: Chen, Chuanxiang, Gan, Zhengyang, Zhou, Kang, Ma, Zhen, Liu, Yinqiu, Gao, Yuhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2018
• Subjects: Conducting polymers; Electroactivity; Electrochemical polymerization; Electrochromic property; Reduced graphene oxide; Conducting polymers; Electrochromic property; Reduced graphene oxide; Electrochemical polymerization; Electroactivity
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.07.051

Electronic structures of conducting polymers could change in the presence of other conjugated materials. Poly(N-methylthionine) (PNMTh) has a lower conductivity and a slower polymerization rate at conventional electrodes as compared to polyaniline. Here, we present a novel enhanced electroactive and electrochromic PNMTh/electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) composite by the combination of electrochemical reduction and catalytic polymerization: ERGO acts as both the efficient template and catalyst for the NMTh polymerization, and also offers both the high conductivity and large surface area to enhance the electrochemical and electrochromic behaviors of the pure PNMTh. The morphology and composition of the obtained composite was characterized via X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectra, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectra, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained PNMTh/ERGO composite has a good potential to be used in (bio-) sensors, biofuel cells, electrochromic devices, and other electrochemical applications. •PNMTh/ERGO composite is prepared using a two-step cyclic voltammetry method.•ERGO acts as both the efficient template and catalyst for the PNMTh synthesis.•PNMTh/ERGO composite exhibits a good electroactivity even up to pH 12.00.•PNMTh/ERGO composite has an enhanced electrochromic property.