In situ external reflection FTIR spectroelectrochemical investigation of poly(o-phenylenediamine) film coated on a platinum electrode

The electrochemically deposited poly(o-phenylenediamine) film on a Pt electrode has been investigated utilizing in situ external reflection FTIR spectroelectrochemistry technique. The prepared ladder polymer film is found to be partially ring-opened. The dopant ClO4- is evidenced to orient in such a way that more than one oxygen atom attach to the charge sites of the polymer. This suggests that positive charges of oxidized polymer are partially delocalized over the whole chains. The proton movement observed during the oxidation reaction is associated with the solvated MeCN molecule. It is proposed that the proton diffusion, dissolvation and protonation of the film may be essential to the electrochemical reduction reaction of the film. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.