Electrochemistry behavior and ion-pair effect of ferrocene in self-assembled monolayers

Ferrocenylalkanethiol (HSC₁₀Fc) can be self-assembled into a stable and reproducible monolayer on gold. The self-assembled monolayer(SAM) showed a reversible redox behavior in 0. 1 mol/L HClO₄ solution, while its voltammetric properties was influenced by both type and concentration of the supporting electrolytes. On the basis of "ion pair" effect, a detailed experimental investigation was performed to evaluate the role of type and concentration of the different anions in determining the shapes and positions of the redox peaks. At the same time, the mixed monolayer of HSCl₁₀Fc with HSC₁₁ CH₃ was prepared, which showed varied electrochemical behavior comparing to the pure monolayer. However, the ion-pair effect was the same as the pure monolayer.