Insulating polymer films

Figure 6. Diagram of the possible charge distribution in insulating polymer films into which electrons have been injected. The states suggested are symbolic of the wide range of electromagnetic...

Here, 0o is the contact angle without applied voltage, is the dielectric permittivity of the insulating polymer film, and U is the applied voltage. Please note that the sign of the applied potential is not relevant. 

Dubois et al. (21,22) have showed that the electrochemical oxidation of phenol euid its derivatives, on metal surfaces, produced hydrophobic, adherent, euid insulating polymer films of uniform thickness. Both Yacynych and Mark (17). and Helneman et al. (13) showed the oxidation of 1,2-diaminobenzene to be irreversible, and with successive cyclic voltammetric scans formed an insulating polymer film completely covering the electrode surface. Heineman et al. ( 22) further showed that 1,2-diaminobenzene forms a polymeric film over a pH range of 4 to 10, and that platinum electrodes coated with the poly(1,2-diaminobenzene) provided a nearly Nernstian response to pH. Cheek et al. (J[6) studied the pH response of platinum and vitreous carbon with polymer films of either 1,2-diaminobenzene or phenol. These polymer films are selective enough to allow the permeation of protons, while limiting access to larger molecules, which could be potential interferents. 

Herein, we describe our technique of solid-state oxidation of a precursor insulating polymer film to produce conducting polymer networks using both electrochemicd and chemical methods. Fu ermore, we describe our electrochemically induced pattern transfer (ECIPT) technique by vduch we can rapidly pattern intrinsically conducting polymer into an insulating matrix. 

Three conditions must be fulfilled by the insulating polymer film (1) swelling of the solution containing the monomer and the electrolyte, (2) a certain degree of miscibility with the conducting polymer and (3)... 

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