Kinetic manipulation of the composition of electroprecipitated poly(vinylferrocene) films

The electroprecipitation of poly(vinylferrocene) as the perchlorate salt from dichloromethane solutions is limited by the diffusion of neutral polymer to the electrode surface. The composition of the film depends on the deposition potential. Gravimetric and coulometric data suggest that deposition at low potentials leads to dense films whose composition is close to P(VF⁺ClO^-₄), i.e., containing little or no solvent or electrolyte. At higher potentials, the gravimetric data indicate the incorporation of appreciable amounts of solvent and/or electrolyte. Variation of deposition potential offers the opportunity to manipulate film composition.