In Situ PM IRRAS Studies of Redox-Active Molecular Films Adsorbed on Electrode Surfaces

Determination of potential-dependent changes in the composition and structure of redox-active molecules involved in electrochemical reactions is one of the most important research objects in electrochemistry. Reduction and oxidation reactions take place on the electrode surface indicating that a redox-active substrate, at least during the redox reaction, is in direct contact with the electrode surface. In this chapter the applicability of PM IRRAS for studies of changes in the composition, structure and orientation of redox-active species in sub-monolayer, monolayer, multilayer films deposited on the metallic electrode surface is described. Use of non-metallic electrodes, such as glassy carbon electrodes, is of large practical importance in modern electrochemistry. Indeed, PM IRRAS with electrochemical control was successfully applied to study structural changes in complex redox reactions in thick polymer and composite material films on the glassy carbon electrode.