INFLUENCE OF ZEOLITE AS MEDIUM ON THE POLYMERIZATION OF ANILINE AT THE ELECTRODE-ELECTROLYTE INTERFACE

The electropolymerization of aniline through anilinium ion exchange in zeolite Y has been investigated. The electrochemical (cyclic voltammetric) signatures of the polymerization process show that it is time-dependent and the formation of polyaniline occurs predominantly through one dimer, viz., p-amino-diphenylamine (PADP), which subsequently undergoes oxidative polymerization. The UV spectral data confirm such a polymerization route in zeolite Y. The slow and efficient electropolymerization of aniline in zeolite Y, with the help of its architecture and acid/base character, makes this an interesting system. Also, through XRD patterns, the integrity and crystallinity of Y have been found to be intact during the anilinium ion exchange and subsequent polymerization, which is a prerequisite to form any conducting polymer based molecular assembly.