Spectroelectrochemistry of tetracyanoquinodimethane modified electrodes

Thin films of a tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) oligomer adsorbed on optically transparent platinum electrodes have been studied using spectroelectrochemical techniques. In contact with aqueous electrolytes the electron aceptor sites in these modified electrodes are reduced to mixtures of the radical aion, TCNQ^?, the dimer radical anion, TCNQ^2?₂, the dimer dianion, TCNQ₂^2?, and the dianion, TCNQ^2∮. Electrolyte effects on the reduction process and the stability of the reduced films were studied. Both monovalent and divalent ions exhibited Nernstian potential dependence, and in the presence of Ca²⁺ ions the dianion state was stabilized. Counterion effects are suggested as the origin of variations in the wave shape in multcycle voltammograms.