Integration of vanadium-mixed addenda Dawson heteropolytungstate within poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(2,2′-bithiophene) films by electrodeposition from the nonionic micellar aqueous medium

A comparative study describing immobilization of the Dawson type mixed addenda heteropolyanion, [P2W17VO62]8− into conducting polymer films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT, and poly(2,2′-bithiophene), PBT, is reported. Electrosynthesis of these hybrid films was performed using a micellar aqueous solution of the nonionic surfactant, polyethylene glycol tert-octylphenyl ether (Triton X-100). Deposited composite films were characterised electrochemically and, on the whole, they exhibited fast electron transfer (ET) properties and relatively high stability towards continuous potential cycling in acidic media. In particular, PEDOT composite showed relatively faster ET properties in comparison to PBT composite. Their permeability was investigated in the presence of cationic and anionic redox probes. Our results implied good mediating capabilities of the [P2W17V4+O62]8− anion (within the [P2W17V4+O62]8−–PEDOT hybrid film) towards the iron (III) reduction. The specific electrocatalytic (reductive) capabilities of hybrid films were also studied by probing the reduction of bromate. The films were further characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to establish their interfacial elemental composition. Moreover, their surface morphology was imaged by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results have shown that physicochemical properties of the investigated hybrid films were affected by polymer hydrophobicity.