The comprehension of potentiometric pH sensors with polymeric thin films for new and advanced applications is a constant technological need. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the sensitivity and correlation coefficient of potentiometric pH sensors and the structure-property relationship of polyaniline thin films. The effect of the deposition method on the sample's properties was evaluated. Galvanostatically electrodeposited and spin-coated polyaniline thin films were used as the sensing stage. Samples were electrodeposited with a current density of 0.5 mA/cm2 for 300, 600, and 1200 s and were spin coated for 60 s with an angular velocity of 500, 1000, and 2000 rpm. The electrodeposited set of films presented higher average sensitivity, 73.4 ± 1.3 mV/pH, compared to the spin-coated set, 59.2 ± 2.5 mV/pH. The electrodeposited films presented higher sensitivity due to their morphology, characterized by a larger roughness and thickness compared to spin-coated ones, favoring the potentiometric response. Also, their oxidation state, evaluated with cyclic voltammetry and UV-VIS spectroscopy, corroborates their sensing performance. The understanding of the structure-property relationship of the polymeric films affecting the pH detection is discussed based on the characteristics of the deposition method used.
Keywords: conducting polymer; open circuit potential; sensitivity; structure–property relationship; thin film.