Soybean Peroxidase Catalyzed Enzymatic Synthesis of Pyrrole/EDOT Copolymers

Pyrrole/EDOT copolymers were synthesized using environmentally benign enzyme catalysis. PSS was used as the solubilizing template and charge-balancing dopant. Soybean peroxidase was utilized as a catalyst for the copolymerization reactions to yield poly(pyrrole-EDOT)/PSS complex. Systematic studies were conducted with varying monomer feed ratios, temperature, and pH. Here we report for the first time, the enzyme catalyzed polymerization of pyrrole and EDOT at an elevated pH = 5. The polymer composition was determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Spectroscopic characterization [UV-Vis, FTIR], thermal analysis, and electrical conductivity measurements for these complexes indicated the formation of stable conducting copolymers.