CHEMICAL OXIDATION OF POLYANILINE BY RADICAL GENERATING REAGENTS, O2, H2O2-FECL3 CATALYST, AND DIBENZOYL PEROXIDE

Polyaniline in the reduced form ( NH-C6H4-NH-C6H4 n, leucoemeraldine base form) undergoes oxidation by radical generating reagents such as O2, H2O2-FeCl3 catalyst system, and dibenzoyl peroxide to give the 50% oxidized polymer ( NH-C6H4-NH-C6H4 m N = C6H4 = N-C6H4 n, emeraldine base form). The oxidation by the H2O2-FeCl3 system shows kinetic behaviors characteristic of Fenton-type oxidation.