| An iron bis-terpyridine complex bearing pyrene groups on each ligand was studied to evaluate its utility as a surface modifier of carbon nanotubes in a sensing configuration. Immersion of carbon electrodes into solutions of the complex and then into clean electrolyte established that Fe(tpySCH 2-pyr)2(OTF)2 will strongly physisorb onto glassy carbon at near monolayer coverage. But voltammetric scanning in solutions of the pyrenyl iron compound showed well-resolved Fe(II/III) redox waves that grew in magnitude over time and persisted in fresh complex-free electrolyte indicating a surface electropolymerization reaction. Very thin CNT coatings slightly increased current responses. Spectroelectrochemical analysis of Fe(tpySCH 2-pyr)2(OTF)2 films grown on indium-tin oxide transparent electrodes confirm the presence of an Fe(II/III) active redox film that has a nearly Nernstian response, but with a small Fe(II) electroinactive component. |
