Electrochemical Polymerization of Diphenylamine-2-Carboxylic Acid on Glassy Carbon and Activated Graphite Foil

The electrochemical polymerization of diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid in an alkaline electrolyte on an anodized graphite foil is compared with the corresponding electrochemical polymerization on a glassy carbon substrate. The physicochemical properties and electrochemical characteristics of electroactive polymer coatings (polydiphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid) in 1 М H2SO4 solution in the potential range from –1 to +1 V are investigated. It is shown that two different polymers are formed on the used substrates. According to the electrochemical, electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data, the possible pathway of electropolymerization on surfaces of the anodized graphite foil and glassy carbon is proposed. The calculated values of the electrochemical capacity, Coulomb efficiency, and stability of polymer coatings based on poly(diphenylamine-2-dicarboxylic acid) on the anodized graphite foil substrate in multiple cycle experiments are found to be good for designing electrodes for supercapacitors.