Electrodeposition of Poly-P-Phenylene Conducting Polymer onto Different Electrodes (Platinum, Carbon and Gold) and Longevity Studies

An undergraduate laboratory experiment is described utilizing carbon platinum, and gold electrodes with organic conductive polymer poly-p-phenylene (PPP), These polymers are grown electrochemically and utilized to detect 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) was utilized to determine the stability, longevity, reversibility and diminishing fouling problems typically associated with conductive polymers. This experiment also examines different types of surfaces such as carbon, platinum and gold. FTIR may be utilized to illustrate the modification of the electrode surface (covalent bonding of the polymer). This lab motivates students to learn novel skills with integrated lab equipment and techniques that build upon problem-solving skills needed to succeed as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) majors. Also, this lab illustrates an excellent first year chemistry lab to offer as the introduction of metals and nonmetals (electrode surfaces and polymer) and build skills to prepare for the second year of Organic Chemistry (the application of FTIR skills with mode assignments to confirm the PPP on the electrode surfaces).