Electropolymerization of phenol on a vitreous carbon electrode in acidic aqueous solution at different temperatures

Abstract

Electrochemical oxidation of phenol in acidic aqueous solution was studied on a vitreous carbon electrode at different temperatures in the range of 25–85 °C by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The kinetic aspect of the phenol oxidation was investigated as a function of its concentration and temperature. The electrode deactivation by formation of an adherent, compact, and insulating polymeric film was examined by monitoring the decrease in the peak current of phenol oxidation during the course of successive potential scans. Repeated potential scans in the region of water stability did not reactivate the electrode whatever the temperature used. Chronoamperometric curves recorded at different potentials in the region of water decomposition shown that the electrochemical activity of the electrode was partially restored even when performed at low temperature (25 °C).