In situ neutron reflectivity studies of poly-o-toluidine films

Our long-term scientific objective is the rational design and fabrication o f electrochemical interfaces of specific function, via modification of the electrode with thin films of electroactive polymers. This requires us to un derstand the relationship between electrode performance and structure. From a series of experiments performed on the TAS8 reflectometer at Riso Nation al Labs, we have studied the spatial distributions of polymer and solvent w ithin poly(o-toluidine)(PoT) films in their reduced form, as functions of f ilm thickness and pH in perchloric acid solutions. We intend to use our in- situ neutron reflectivity data to rationalize electrochemical quartz crysta l microbalance (EQCM) and probe beam deflection (PBD) data on redox driven PoT ion and solvent transfer dynamics. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.