Stable films of cationic surfactants and phthalocyaninetetrasulfonate catalysts

Films made from cationic surfactants and well-retained redox catalysts were investigated. Full loading of metal phthalocyaninetetrasulfonates (MPcTS4-) into water-insoluble dialkyldimethylammonium surfactants by ion exchange from aqueous solutions yielded coatings on electrodes that retain these catalyst ions for 1-2 weeks in electrolyte solutions. In contrast, partly loaded films lost most MPcTS4- ions in a few hours. All films showed gel-to-liquid crystal phase transitions at temperatures characteristic of surfactant bilayers. Cross-sectional views by SEM showed layers of 0.1-0.2 micron, as well as some disordered regions. Each larger layer is probably made up of stacks of many molecular bilayers. Retention of MPcTS4- ions seems related to their dimerization. Dimers of MPcTS4- associated with ammonium head groups may crosslink adjacent surfactant bilayers. The MPcTS4- ions that enhance stability in these films are also good redox catalysts.