Electrosynthesised thin polymer films: the role of XPS in the design of application oriented innovative materials

The paper reviews some significant pieces of work carried out in the author s' laboratory in the course of about three decades and concerned with the d evelopment of market oriented devices, which exploit the singular character istics of electrosynthesised polymers. The strategic role of X-Ray Photoele ctron Spectroscopy is underlined not only as a powerful technique for the c haracterization of these thin films, but mainly as an unvaluable tool to fe edback optimization procedures both in film synthesis and modification. Cas e studies relevant to the development of permselective membranes for biosen sors, of biocompatible coatings and active layers for gas sensors have been selected and reviewed. Future trends and prospects of the work in progress are also described.