Redox monomer ionic liquid based on quaternary ammonium: From electrochemistry to polymer brushes

Abstract Bifunctional quaternary ammonium ionic liquid bearing redox and polymerisable units was synthesized. The electrochemical investigations of the ferrocene monomer ionic liquid were performed. Following that, surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) was used to build polymer brushes onto the electrode surface. The presence of the Poly(ferrocenyl quaternary ammonium) was evidenced by surface and electrochemical analysis. The latter exhibits high electron transfer rate and the presence of ions within the polymer framework leads to record the attached ferrocenyl redox signal in solution without adding supporting electrolyte. Finally, the wettability of the surface was modulated by electrochemical switch and by anion exchange within the polymer.