Multilayer assemblies of a Cu-phthalocyanine with Dawson type polyoxometalates (POMs) for the electrocatalytic reduction of phosphate

A series of multilayer electrode assemblies have been fabricated through the layer by layer (LBL) technique composed of the water soluble Cu-phthalocyanine (Alcian Blue 8GX) cationic species and a range of Dawson type polyoxometalates (POMs) on glassy carbon electrodes in pH 7.0. Electrochemistry for both the cationic phthalocyanine and the incorporated POMs is clearly visible. The layers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, AC impedance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The layers were found to electrocatalytically reduce phosphate at pH 7.