Charging processes in electroactive C60/Pd films : Effect of solvent and supporting electrolyte

TLDR: In this article, the electrochemical properties of solid films deposited on an electrode surface by simultaneous electrochemical reduction of C60 and palladium(II) acetate trimer in an acetonitrile/toluene mixture have been studied using cyclic voltammetry.

Abstract: The electrochemical properties of solid films deposited on an electrode surface by simultaneous electrochemical reduction of C60 and palladium(II) acetate trimer in an acetonitrile/toluene mixture have been studied using cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical switching between the doped (conducting) and undoped (nonconducting) states involves both electron and ion transport within the film. The overall control of charge percolation through the C60/Pd electroactive material is governed by the transport of cations. The ion transport depends both on the nature of solvent and supporting electrolyte. The size of solvent molecule is the major factor determining the degree of solvent swelling of the layer. In the case of small solvent molecules, the C60/Pd film exhibits a reversible redox behavior. For larger molecule solvents, the voltammograms show a departure from reversibility. The reduction of the layer is accompanied by changes in its morphology allowing for the solvent swelling of the film also in the ca...