Electropolymerization of poly(aniline-co-p -toluidine) on copper and its application as a corrosion inhibitor
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to compare the inhibitive effects of polyaniline (PAni), poly(p-toluidine) and poly(aniline-co-p-toluidine) in hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution.
Design/methodology/approach
The electrochemical deposition of PAni, poly(p-toluidine) and poly(aniline-co-p-toluidine) on pure copper metal was studied potentiodynamically. The copolymer deposited was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion inhibition studies on copper electrode were performed using electrochemical methods, viz, open circuit potential (OCP) measurements, potentiodynamic polarization scans and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests, conducted in 0.1 M HCl solution.
Finding
The results of the study reveal that the copolymer of poly(aniline-co-p-toluidine) at the optimum concentration of 1 × 10−3 M has better corrosion inhibition efficiency as compared to PAni and poly(p-toluidine).
Research limitations/implications
The conducting polymers are difficult to deposit on the metal surface because of their high dissolution tendency before the electropolymerization potential of the monomer is achieved.
Practical implications
From an environmental viewpoint, poly(aniline-co-p-toluidine) is a toxic and hazardous conducting polymer.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates that poly(aniline-co-p-toluidine) showed better dispersion in different organic solvents and had higher corrosion inhibition efficiency than PAni.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Authors acknowledge their thanks to the school of Chemical Sciences, the Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM) for providing necessary research facilities. One of the authors also thanks USM, for the award of post-doctoral fellowship. We also thank department of chemistry, AMU, Aligarh, for providing communication facility.
Citation
Rashid, M., Sabir, S., Waware, U. and A. Rahim, A. (2014), "Electropolymerization of poly(aniline-co-
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited