Electrochemical materials science: calculation vs. experiment as predictive tools in tailoring intrinsically conducting polythiophenes

o-Toluidine in electrochemistry – an overview

The substituted aromatic amine o-toluidine (2-methylaniline, 1-amino-2-methylbenzene) is frequently encountered in electrochemical research as a soluble corrosion inhibitor dissolved in aqueous media used e.g., in cooling systems, as a homomonomer for formation of intrinsically conducting poly-o-toluidine and as a comonomer in formation of respective copolymers and their composites. The obtained polymers are suggested as corrosion protection coatings, as active materials in devices for electrochemical energy storage, but more frequently, they are examined as active components in electrochemical sensors.

The significant and pronounced carcinogenicity of o-toluidine has hardly been addressed; presumably, most researchers are not even aware of this property. After a brief summary of the health risks and effects, the following overview presents typical examples of said studies and applications. If possible, substitutes with lower health risks are proposed, at least further studies enabling such replacement are suggested.

Conjugated Molecules and Polymers in Secondary Batteries: A Perspective

Intrinsically conducting polymers constituting a subclass of macromolecules, as well as a still growing family of large, conjugated molecules, oligomers, and polymers, have attracted research interest for the recent decades. Closely corresponding to the fascination of these materials, combining typical properties of organic polymers and metallic materials, numerous applications have been suggested, explored, and sometimes transferred into products. In electrochemistry, they have been used in various functions beyond the initially proposed and obvious application as active masses in devices for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. This perspective contribution wraps up basic facts that are necessary to understand the behavior and properties of the oligo and polymers and their behavior in electrochemical cells for energy conversion by electrode reactions and associated energy storage. Representative examples are presented and discussed, and an overview of the state of research and development is provided. Particular attention is paid to stability and related aspects of practical importance. Future trends and perspectives are indicated.