Preparation of membranes by electropolymerization of pyrrole functionalized by a ferrocene group

The preparation of dense membranes by the electropolymerization of functionalized pyrrole (Py) by ferrocene units was carried out. The synthesis of N-[3-(pyrrol-1-yl)propyl]ferrocene-1-carboxamide (or [(ferrocenyl)amidopropyl] pyrrole, FAPP) is described. The electropolymerization of the monomer on platinum electrode and on stainless-steel meshes was studied. The electroactivity of the grafted ferrocenyl group of the FAPP monomer was confirmed and the electrochemical properties of the electrogenerated FAPP film were investigated. The stability in potentiostatic and potentiodynamic modes of FAPP films was low and, to improve the latter, the electrochemical preparation of the copolymer between the pyrrole and the FAPP was performed. The electrochemical characterization of the copolymer showed that it was possible to control the oxidation state of both electroactive compounds of the film. The FAPP/Py copolymer was then prepared on stainless-steel meshes to produce membranes, whose transport properties were electrochemically controllable. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.