Cyclic voltammetry investigation of diffusion of ferrocene within propylene carbonate organogel formed by gelator

Propylene carbonate organogel containing LiClO4 was formed in the presence of gelator bis-(4-stearoylaminophenyl) methane (BSAPM). The electrochemical behavior and diffusion of ferrocene (Fc) and ferricenium (Fc+) entrapped within the organogel was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The Fc molecules still show redox activity within the organogels in comparison with corresponding solutions of propylene carbonate containing LiClO4. The shape of the cyclic voltammograms of the Fc electrooxidation in organogel was similar to that in corresponding solutions. The results indicated that redox reactions of Fc/Fc+ were a quasi-reversible process of diffusion-controlled single electron transfer in organogels. The diffusion coefficients of Fc and Fc+ in organogels decreased with an increase of the concentration of gelator BSAPM, but increased with an increase of temperature. The temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient in organogels followed classical Arrhenius equation. The activation energy in organogels was found of no difference from that in corresponding solutions.