SYNTHESIS AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF NEW VIOLOGEN POLYMERS

New polymeric viologens containing tetra-, tri-, or diethylglycol link s as 1,1'-substituents has been synthesized by the reaction of tosylat ed ethylglycols with dipyridine in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Thin films of insoluble hexafluorophosphate salts of these polyviologens we re examined using electrochemical technique, electrochemical quartz cr ystal microbalance (EQMB), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cycl ovoltammetric results show that the composition of the polyviologen de termines the kinetics of the redox reactions and the mode of the charg e transport through the film. The charge compensation during the reduc tion process is accomplished by cation insertion, and vice versa durin g oxidation. However, the EQMB data indicate that some anion insertion during oxidation also takes place. Water movement during the redox pr ocesses was observed.