Composite films of poly-(ester-sulphonated) and poly-(3-methylthiophene) for ion-exchange voltammetry in acetonitrile solutions

This paper describes the preparation and characterisation of a polymeric electrode coating based on a composite of the poly-(ester-sulphonated) Eastman AQ55[reg] (AQ55) and poly-(3-methylthiophene) (PMeT), which is used for the controlled uptake and partial release of electroactive cations in acetonitrile solutions. The film is prepared by electrochemical oxidation in acetonitrile of 3-methylthiophene on glassy carbon disks or Pt-quartz crystal electrodes pre-coated with a thin film of AQ55. The electropolymerisation process is controlled so that the overall number of positive charges of oxidised PMeT is equal to the number of negative charges of the sulphonate groups of AQ55. Cyclic voltammetry and quartz crystal microbalance measurements indicate that the AQ55/PMeT mixed film is stable in acetonitrile and that its cation-exchange properties depend on the applied potential. When the PMeT moieties are reduced, the film incorporate cations; following electrochemical oxidation of the coating causes a release of the incorporated cations which, however, is only partial. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of cross sections of the composite polymer layer indicate that it is really a bi-layer, made by an inner compact layer of AQ55 on which a thicker and porous PMeT layer is grown. The outer PMeT layer acts as a barrier whose ionic charges can be changed electrochemically from positive (oxidation) to neutral (reduction). These ionic charges hinder or allow, respectively, the permeation of redox cations which tend to interact with the negatively charged sulphonic sites of the AQ55 layer. Direct self-neutralization of part of the positive charges of oxidized PMeT by the AQ55 sulphonic groups allows the release of part of the redox cations incorporated previously in the mixed film when PMeT is in the reduced state. By operating in acetonitrile solutions without added electrolyte it is possible to increase the fraction of redox cations which are released in consequence of the oxidation of PMeT; this suggests a slower and only partial oxidation of PMeT under such experimental conditions