The influence of amines on the anodic coupling of phenols to polyoxyphenylene films

The formation of protective polyoxyphenylene coatings onto Fe, Zn and Cu, sheets by anodic oxidation of phenol/amine systems has been investigated. It was found that thick homogeneous coatings are obtained only when a suitable amine is present in the electrolysis solution. The amine not only stops the anodic formation of passivating metal oxides which inhibit polymer growth, but also enters into the structure of the coatings. The polymer chains obtained from phenols are, in fact, highly modified by amine molecules grafted onto the phenoxy units.