Abstract

The electrochemical response of poly(2-chloroaniline) (PANiCl) synthesized by chemical oxidation at low temperature is described. The polymer obtained is soluble in methylpyrrolidone and it is possible to cast films which are good substrates for supporting metal complex catalysts such as cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and are very stable to potentials upto 0.8 V vs. SCE. Films of PANiCl containing 1% of CoPc exhibit catalytic activity for the electrochemical oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol, glutathione and hydrazine in acid medium. Evaluation of the electrocatalytical response of PANiCl/CoPc films suggests that the diffusion rate of electroactive species into the film is improved when the polymer reaches the oxidized state.