Ferrocene scanning electron microscopy

The microstructuie of films of the ferrocene dendrimers electrochemically deposited on platinum wire working electrodes was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM micrograph in Figure 7 corresponding to a film of the octanuclear dendrimer 2 shows a sheet-like compact morphology and exhibits small agglutinations and some porosity. 

In the 1980s, the successful synthesis of elastomeric polyamides 120 of high molecular weight (d/n =10,000-18,000) was reported from the polycondensation of l,l -bis(/ -aminoethyl)ferrocene with diacid chlorides (Scheme 13). Also, polyureas 121 were prepared from the same ferrocene monomer and diisocyanates, and polyesters and polyurethanes were prepared from l,l -bis(/ -hydroxyethyl)ferrocene. However, the latter materials had much lower molecular weights and were characterized only by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray, and IR analyses. The introduction of ferrocenes in which the functional groups are separated from the cyclopentadienyl ring by at least two methylene units was crucial in order to reduce steric effects and to avoid the instability found previously in polymers of a-functionalized ferrocene due to the a-ferrocenyl carbonium ion stability. 

Polyaniline forms stable, coherent films when grown electrochemically. Scanning electron microscopy pictures reveal that the film surfaces are fairly smooth [148]. After exposure and handling in air, the films maintain their electrochemical properties and can drive redox reactions such as the oxidation of ferrocene to ferricinium. When the pH of a solution containing a polyaniline electrode is increased above 3, a marked decrease in the electroactivity of the polymer occurs. 

---