Abstract

An electrochemical study of poly(aryloxyphosphazenes) substituted with COOH and NO2 groups is reported here for the first time. In order to develop new applications, a glassy carbon electrode was coated with the compound in non-aqueous media, and it behavior was studied using Cyclic Voltammetry, Differential Pulse Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy techniques. The analysis showed that the current intensity of the electrochemical response increases when the substitution degree in COOH- as NO2-functionalized poly(aryloxyphosphazenes) increases, therefore is it possible to predict the degree of substituent for this kind of polymer. Subsequently the morphology of glassy carbon electrodes modified with COOH- and NO2-functionalized poly(aryloxyphosphazenes) was characterized using Scanning electron microscopy. The COOH-functionalized poly(aryloxyphosphazenes) can act as pH sensing electrodes. Furthermore, the present research demonstrates that the electrochemical synthesis of NH2-functionalized poly(aryloxyphosphazenes) is a suitable methodology for the reduction of nitro substituents avoiding the generation of hazardous wastes. The reduction of NO2-functionalized poly(aryloxyphosphazenes) degree is reported.