Electrocatalytic Properties of Electropolymerized Ni(II)curcumin Complex

The voltammetric behavior in alkaline solution of a nickel‐based chemically modified electrode (poly‐Ni(II)curcumin) prepared by oxidative electropolymerization of nickel‐curcumin complex for electrooxidation of aliphatic alcohols was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk technique (curcumin=1,7‐bis[4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl]‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione). The dependence of the oxidation current on the alcohol concentration and on the number of redox centers Ni(II)/Ni(III) is discussed. From the fact that the oxidation current increases with the increase of film thickness it is evident that the electrocatalytic reaction occurs inside the polymer film. The system examined is a typical example of a redox polymer with 3D properties. It is also concluded that the reaction mechanism of alcohol oxidation is the case, according to the concept of Andrieux and Saveant, where the cross‐exchange reaction is the limiting step. The mechanism of modifying the film formation has also been discussed.