Influence of the phase state of self‐assembling redox mediators on their electrochemical activity. Issue 4 (4th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muller, John P. E.; Aytar, Burcu S.; Kondo, Yukishige; Lynn, David M.; Abbott, Nicholas L.
• Is Part Of: AIChE journal. Volume 60:Issue 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 1381
• Page End: 1392
• Publication Date: 2014-03-04
• Subjects: Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; 660.28
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.14402
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-1541

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Self‐assembling redox mediators have the potential to be broadly useful in a range of interfacial electrochemical contexts because the oxidation state and state of assembly of the mediator are closely coupled. In this article, we report an investigation of the self‐assembly of single‐ and double‐tailed ferrocenyl amphiphiles [(11‐ferrocenylundecyl)trimethylammonium bromide (FTMA) and bis(11‐ferrocenylundecyl)dimethylammonium bromide (BFDMA), respectively] at the surfaces of Pt electrodes and the impact of the dynamic assembled state of the amphiphiles on their rate of oxidation. We conclude that frozen aggregates of BFDMA adsorb to the surfaces of the Pt electrodes, and that slow dynamics of reorganization of BFDMA within these aggregates limits the rate of electrooxidation of BFDMA. In contrast, FTMA, while forming assemblies on the surfaces of Pt electrodes, is characterized by fast reorganization dynamics and a corresponding rate of oxidation that is an order of magnitude greater than BFDMA. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers <italic>AIChE J</italic>, 60: 1381–1392, 2014</p> </abstract>