Intrinsically electroactive polyimide microspheres fabricated by electrospraying technology for ascorbic acid detection

Abstract

In this paper, we present the first fabrication of intrinsically electroactive polyimide microspheres (EPS) based on conjugated segments of an electroactive amino-capped aniline trimer (ACAT) of a diamine, 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenoxy)-bis(phthalic anhydride) (BSAA) and a dianhydride. EPS was successfully prepared using electrospraying technology and applied in the detection of ascorbic acid (AA). The particle size of EPS can be controlled by varying the concentration of spraying solution, while the electrocatalysis oxidation properties can be influenced by the different particle sizes of EPS. A sensor constructed using an EPSS (EPS with a small particle size)-modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) was found to show 4.38-fold and 1.81-fold higher electrocatalytic activities towards the oxidation of AA than those constructed using an EPI (electroactive polyimide) thin film and EPSL (EPS with large particles size), respectively.