Chemically Modified Electrodes. Part XX. Radiofrequency Plasma Polymerization of Vinylferrocene on Glassy Carbon and Platinum Electrodes.

Vinylferrocene can be polymerized in a radiofrequency Ar plasma to deposit in thin, adherent films on glassy carbon and Pt electrodes. In acetonitrile solvent containing tetraethylammonium perchlorate or tetrafluoroborate electrolyte, these films exhibit electrochemical reactivity qualitatively expectable for polyvinylferrocene films although analytical information of film composition shows some plasma damage and some oxygen incorporation has taken place. The relationship of observed electrochemistry to plasma reaction time and geometry is described. Quantities of electroactive ferrocene in the prepared films range from 0.5 - 300 x 10 to the -10th power mole/sq. cm. The thinner films exhibit non-limiting transport of electrochemical charge, while a thick film gives a diffusion-controlled response. (Author)