Electrografting of copolymer of poly[N-vinylcarbazole-co-styrene] and poly[N-vinylcarbazole-co-acrylonitrile] onto carbon fiber: cyclovoltammetric (CV), spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FT-IR-ATR), and morphological study (SEM)

Abstract

Random copolymers of poly(N-vinylcarbazole-styrene), P[NVCz-co-St], and poly(N-vinylcarbazole-acrylonitrile), P[NVCz-co-AN] were synthesized by the reaction of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) in acetonitrile. The resulting copolymers of P[NVCz-co-St], and P[NVCz-co-AN] were electrochemically coated (grafted) onto a few single carbon fiber microelectrodes. The electrocoated carbon fibers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), FT-IR-ATR, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Polymer modified carbon fiber microelectrodes and platinum electrodes were tested and compared with respect to biosensor behavior (reversibility) against dopamine.