Cyclic Voltammetric and Spectroelectrochemical Studies of Tris(5-amino-1,10-phenantroline)Iron(II) Polymer Films

Abstract

Tris(5-amino-1,10-phenantroline)iron(II) polymer films were prepared on glassy carbon electrodes and indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces using cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic voltammograms collected during electropolymerization are correlated with the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical characterization observations of the polymer films. On ITO surfaces, the films demonstrate reversible electrochromism switching between colors of red and yellow due to potential changes either in the cyclic voltammetry-scanning potential or pulsed-potential mode. Spectroelectrochemical measurements of the polymer films were made using tetraethyl- and tetrabutyl-ammonium perchlorate supporting electrolyte solutions. The absorbance at 506 nm is significantly diminished when measurements are made in tetrabutylammonium perchlorate supporting electrolyte solutions, indicating that spectroelectrochemical responses are limited by counterion diffusion within the polymer films.