Chemical, Electrochemical and Morphological Characterization of Poly-{trans-[RuCl₂(vpy)₄]} Films Deposited on Nd-Fe-B Magnets and on Inert Materials

The characterization of poly-{trans-[RuCl2(vpy)4]}films, deposited on Nd-Fe-B magnets and on Pt, Au and Glassy Carbon (GC) electrodes, produced in the present work were carried out by several in situ and extra situ techniques, aiming by the understanding of film structure improve its use as corrosion protection coating and/or electrocatalyst. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) was used to estimate the surface coverage, film stability and the surface redox potential of films produced at different conditions. By Chronocoulometry films diffusion coefficient (Dct) were evaluated. Film morphology was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Chemical composition analyses were carried out by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Photonelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman Spectroscopy. The results indicated that the film structure is similar to the Ru complex in solution. Films Dct is limited by the electron transfer rate between Ru metallic centers. Films on Nd-Fe-B were composed by Ru3+ whereas on Pt by Ru2+.