A topical study of electrochemical response of functionalized conducting polyaniline: An overview

Polyaniline films grounded on conducting polymers have plentiful latent applications, but applied devices normally entail a blending of assets not met by a solitary section of one monomer of aniline. This has prompted us to focus on altering aniline monomers with selective and suitable functional segments of other monomers into the backbone of polyanilines through techniques of organic electrochemistry. In this, we have collected over the past 20 years works of literature focussed on functionalized polyanilines having blending of assets with the potential polymeric application. This functionalization altered the electrochemical assets such as electro-activity, conductivity, solubility, extended conjugation, thermally stability, controlled morphology, and processability of polyaniline. An exclusive skill of electrochemical tools such as dopants and electrolytes significantly enhances the physicochemical features such as solubility, crystalline nature, and electrical conductivity of these polymers. We have studied and compiled data using cyclic voltammetry at different scan rates and potentials that can help one to understand how they are reduced and oxidized giving possible subsequent reactions. These functionalized polyanilines have gained popularity as intrinsically conducting materials for making chemical sensors, rechargeable batteries, super-capacitor, organic light-emitting diodes, anticorrosion devices, and electrodes for electro-catalyzed reactions. Such functionalized polyaniline upholds decorum just like conventional homo-polymer polyanilines with lesser price, better durability, and flexibility. This exclusive skill of electrochemical tool aids in the modification of polyaniline and cooperative with those students who are not necessarily skilled chemists but can unleash this galvanic potential benefit to various other modified conducting polymers.