The electropolymerization of benzotriazole on an Au electrode was investigated via cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry
in a room temperature ionic liquid medium, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim]PF
6) containing glacial acetic acid. The chronoamperometric investigation revealed that the instantaneous nucleation predominated
the potentiostatic electropolymerization of benzotriazole at the oxidation peak potential. Scanning electron microscopy indicated
that the polymer film was compact and relatively smooth and infrared spectroscopy suggested the polymer chains were formed
mainly via coupling of the unsaturated nitrogen atoms. The polymer was found to be highly electroactive, showing a quasi-reversible
and stable pair of redox peaks centering at 0.9 V versus Ag/AgCl in 0.1 mol L
−1 H
2SO
4.
Keywords Poly(benzotriazole) - Room temperature ionic liquid [bmim]PF6
- Electropolymerization - Chronoamperometry