Abstract
Heptylviologen-montmorillonite-polymer intercalation compounds were synthesized by the reaction of heptylviologen with an Na-montmorillonite-poly (vinyl alcohol) or an Na-montmorillonite-poly (ethylene glycol) intercalation compound, and their electrochemical behavior was investigated. Heptylviologen dications were co-intercalated with poly (vinyl alcohol) in the interlayer of montmorillonite whereas poly (ethylene glycol) was almost deintercalated by the intercalation of heptylviologen. Heptylviologen ions, which were incorporated into the clay mineral by ion-exchange of Na+ ions, electrochemically underwent a redox reaction in two steps. The co-intercalated polymer species did not affect the electrochemical property. The electrochemical reaction had irreversible nature, and this was presumed to be due to dimerization of heptylviologen radical cations, which formed by oneelectron reduction of the dications, in the interlayer spaces. Similarity and difference in electrochemical behavior between the present system and previously reported MV2+-montmorillonite systems were discussed.
