Electroreductive coating of electrodes from soluble polypyrrole-ruthenium (II) complexes: ion modulation effects on their electroactivity

We describe here a method for coating electrode surfaces with electroactive films by electroreductive precipitation of soluble polymers, synthesized by electrooxidative or photoredox polymerization of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes substituted by pyrrole groups. The redox behaviour of the resulting film modified electrodes is strongly dependent on the size and the lipophilic properties of the ions of the supporting electrolyte. This appears to be a consequence of their permeation through the films to maintain electroneutrality in the polymers.