Biomimetic synthesis of water-soluble conducting copolymers/homopolymers of pyrrole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene

Biomacromolecules. 2006 Feb;7(2):586-9. doi: 10.1021/bm0506501.

Abstract

A novel biomimetic route for the synthesis of electrically conducting homopolymers/copolymers of pyrrole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in the presence of a polyelectrolyte, such as polystyrene sulfonate (SPS), is presented. A poly(ethylene glycol)-modified hematin (PEG-hematin) was used to catalyze the homopolymerization of pyrrole and EDOT as well as copolymerization of EDOT and pyrrole in the presence of SPS to yield homopolymers of polypyrrole/SPS and PEDOT/SPS as well as a polypyrrole-co-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/SPS complex. Spectroscopic characterization [UV-visible, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)], thermal analysis, (TGA), and electrical conductivity studies for these complexes indicated the presence of a stable and electrically conductive form of these polymers. Furthermore, the presence of SPS that serves as a charge-compensating dopant in this complex provides a unique combination of properties such as processability and water solubility.

MeSH terms

  • Biomimetic Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemical synthesis*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemistry
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Molecular Structure
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Solubility
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Polymers
  • Polystyrenes
  • Pyrroles
  • poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)
  • Water
  • polypyrrole
  • polystyrene sulfonic acid