The polymerization of vinylic monomers such as DMAEMA ( 2-dimethyaminoethyl methacrylate) can be triggered electrochemically by an electrode and/or a solution electrogenerated reducer ( redox catalysis). The electrochemical mechanism is similar to that of other vinylic monomers. As the polymerization can be induced by redox catalysis, the DMAEMA polymerization can be transposed onto the n-doped poly( tetrafluoroethylene) ( PTFE) surfaces obtained by local scanning electrochemical microscopy reduction of PTFE. The copolymerization is evidenced by the ion-exchange properties of the obtained material. The amount of deposited polymeric material, of estimated width 50-150 nm, is related to the different experimental conditions. The mechanistic observations about the DMAEMA reduction allow a better insight into the PTFE reduction and subsequent DMAEMA copolymerization. It also nicely demonstrates that higher current densities are supported by microelectrode edges.
