Effect of an Underlying Monolayer of a Nafion Film upon Redox Reaction of Methyl Viologen on a Au Electrode

To explore the effect of the presence of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of an alkyl thiol derivative as an underlayer of a Nafion film, redox reaction of methyl viologen (MV) at the Au/SAM/Nafion (1 µm-thick) interface was characterized using the results of the voltammetric and electroreflectance measurements. The perfluorinated SAM slowed the kinetics of the interfacial electron transfer process compared to a Au/Nafion electrode, whereas 1-dodecanethiol SAM accelerated it. However, both the SAMs decreased the voltammetric current by half. Importance of the approach to underlay a SAM was discussed