Polyconjugated oxidation-reduction polymers, processes for the electro-chemical regeneration of
AssigneeAgence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche (ANVAR)
InventorsRene Buvet, Roger Vallot, Richard Messina, Jacques Gal, Liang-Tse Yu
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Abstract
The use of polyconjugated polymers having .pi.-electrons which are delocalized throughout the macromolecular chain as oxidation-reduction polymers is described. The apparatus for regenerating such oxidation-reduction polymers comprises a column, at least one working electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a reference electrode, a potentiostat and a porous wall which separates the auxiliary electrode from the working electrode. Also disclosed is the use of the polymers in the oxidation and reduction of organic and inorganic substances.
Claims9
Process for electro-chemical oxidation or reduction of correspondingly previously reduced or oxidized solid, water-insoluble, electrically conductive, polyconjugated oxidation-reduction polymers, to thereby regenerate such polymers, comprising:
- introducing the polymer to be regenerated into a column or analogous tubular body of inert material having therein a working electrode and an auxiliary electrode, each of chemically and electro-chemically inert but electrically conductive material, a porous wall separating the working electrode from the auxiliary electrode and through which ions may pass but chemical species in gaseous form produced in the course of the regeneration cannot pass, and a reference electrode;
- introducing electrolyte into the column to an extent such that all of the polymer is impregnated with the electrolyte and is covered thereby with a sufficient layer for the reference electrode to dip thereinto;
- connecting the electrodes to a 3-terminal potentiostat;
- and
- operating the potentiostat in either intensiostatic coulometry or in potentiostatic coulometry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.