Effective charge transport in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) based hybrid films containing polyoxometallate redox centers

Electrodeposition and electrochemical charging of hybrid organic/inorganic films composed of the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT, conducting polymer matrix, and Keggin type polyoxometallate, phosphododecamolybdate (PMo12O403-) or phosphododecatungstate (PW12O403-), redox centers, are described under conditions of aqueous solutions. The systems are electropolymerized through potential cycling as thin and moderately thick (mu m level) films on electrode surfaces. They are capable of fast charge propagation during redox reactions in strong acid medium (0.5 mol dm(-3) H2SO4). The high overall physicochemical stability of PEDOT is explored to produce a robust, conductive, matrix for such polynuclear mixed-valence inorganic nanostructures as PMo12O403- and PW12O403-. The composite (hybrid) materials are stabilized due to the existence of electrostatic attraction between anionic phosphomolybdate or phosphotungstate units and positively charged conducting polymer (oxidized). Charge transport is facilitated by the fact that the reversible and fast redox reactions of polyoxometallate appear in the potential range where PEDOT is conductive. The effective diffusion coefficients are on the level 4 x 10(-8) cm(2) s(-1). The whole concept may lead to the fabrication of composite (hybrid) films that are capable of effective accumulation and propagation of charge in redox capacitors. (c) 2005 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.