Direct electrodeposition of nanoscale solid polymer electrolytes via electropolymerization of sulfonated phenols

Direct electrodeposition of ultrathin polymer electrolytes provides a facile route to incorporate ion-conducting functionality and electronic passivation at nanostructured, electrified interfaces. Conformal solid polymer electrolytes are generated directly at planar, rough oxide electrodes by electro-oxidation of 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate, either alone or with a comonomer of 2,6-dimethylphenol. Electrodeposition from the comonomer solution at indium-tin oxide electrodes produces 88 +/- 2-nm thick polymer coatings at the electrode surface, and the resulting films exhibit solid-state ion conductivity. Charge-compensating Na+ in the as-deposited film can be ion exchanged for Li+. Direct electrodeposition of multifunctional polymers enables the development of nanostructured batteries and other solid-state ionic devices. (c) 2005 The Electrochemical Society.