Formation of novel polymeric films derived from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid

Highlights: → Graphite electrodes modified with poly(4-hydroxybenzoic acid) prepared in pH 0.5, 7.0 and 12.0. → Electron transport was higher in poly(4-hydroxybenzoic acid) prepared in acid medium. → Poly(4-HBA) prepared in pH 12.0 presents higher charge transfer resistance. → Polymers prepared in pH 0.5 and 7.0 present globular morphology and in pH 0.5 higher roughness. - Abstract: This work reports electrochemical and morphological studies of formation of poly(4-hydroxybenzoic acid), prepared in different pH, on the graphite surface. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been carried out to study the modified electrodes formed. The electrodes modified with poly(4-HBA), prepared in pH 0.5 and 7.0, presented oxidation/reduction peaks, but no peak was detected to modified electrodes prepared in pH 12.0. Voltammetric studies showed decrease in oxidation/reduction currents and slower electron transport across the polymer for all pH values, however, the electron transport was higher when the polymer was prepared in acid medium. EIS analysis indicated that the charge transfer resistance for poly(4-HBA) electropolymerized at pH 12.0 was about 2 and 1.4 times higher when compared to pH 0.5 and 7.0, respectively. Studies through EQCM showed higher amount of polymer mass deposited in acid medium. Images by AFM indicated that the topography is affected by pH value, whereas films prepared in acidic pH conditions presented higher roughness.