In Situ Polymerization of Aniline Sulfonic Acid Derivatives into LDH Interlamellar Space Probed by ESR and Electrochemical Studies

Aniline sulfonic acid derivatives, o- and m-aminobenzenesulfonic, 3-amino-4-methoxybenzenesulfonic, 3-aniline-1-propane sulfonic acid, and 4-aniline-1-butane sulfonic acids, are incorporated via direct coprecipitation between the sheets of a layered double hydroxide (LDH) of intralamellar composition Cu2Cr(OH)6. After a subsequent thermal treatment at 200 °C applied under air to the hybrid materials, the degree of connectivity between guest monomers, i.e. dimerization and/or polymerization, is evaluated by ESR spectroscopy. Additionally, the hybrid phases were electrochemically cycled in a nonaqueous protophobic electrolyte. The redox potentials are discussed as a function of the position of −NH2 amino group and of −OCH3 electron donating group located in the benzene ring and of the presence of the pendent alkyl chain attached to the nitrogen atom.