Charge percolation in redox-active thin membrane hybrids of mesoporous silica and poly(viologens).

This work reports the fabrication of redox-active films of oligomeric and molecular viologens and mesoporous silica via the infiltration method. Pore-ellipsometry and UV-vis confirm that low-molecular-weight poly(viologens) in solution are able to enter the mesoporous structure, in contrast to high-molecular weight polymers that adsorb only on top of the film. Cyclic voltammetry shows that viologens are able to reach the bottom of the pores and access the electrode/film interface.