Electroinitiated polymerization of acrylamide by direct electron transfer

Abstract

Abstract Electroinitiated polymerization of acrylamide was carried out in acetonitrile–tetrabutylammonium fluoroborate by electrolytic reduction of monomer. It was shown by cyclic voltammetry that direct electron transfer from the cathode to the monomer can be achieved in this solvent–electrolyte system. Reduction peak potentials measured by cyclic voltammetry indicated that sodium salts will interfere with such a mechanism. Since the reduction peak potential of sodium salt and dimethylformamide are found to be lower than acrylamide, this couple was not employed for polymerization in this work. Acetonitrile–tetrabutylammonium fluoroborate couple is stable at the reduction peak potential of acrylamide.