Biochemical synthesis of electroactive polymers

摘要

Abstract: Horseradish peroxidase catalyzed oxidative free radical coupling of phenols and anilines has been utilized in the synthesis of soluble polymers with interesting electronic and optical properties. The main chain azopolymers synthesized by this method are soluble in polar solvents and undergo cis-trans isomerization upon exposure to light. The photoinduced conformational changes in the polymers are influenced by the molecular weight of the polymer. Water soluble polyanilines have been synthesized by polymerizing monomers containing polar functional groups. These polymers are reversible redox systems and show interesting optical properties, which are dependent on the solution pH. A polymeric ligand has been synthesized following this reaction, which may be used in the fabrication of metal ion sensors. We further describe the potential of these polymers in sensing and other related applications.!23