Electropolymerization of 3-methylthiophene at liquid 3-methylthiophene | aqueous solution | graphite three-phase junction

Droplets of 3-methylthiophene are mechanically attached to the surface of paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE) and immersed into aqueous solution of LiClO₄. It is demonstrated that the oxidative electropolymerization (observed in non-aqueous solutions) can be accomplished by potential cycling between −0.3 and 1.4 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE). Since the droplets do not contain a dissolved electrolyte, the electrochemical reaction starts at the very edge of the three-phase junction organic droplet | graphite | aqueous electrolyte.