Electrochemical synthesis of a novel conducting polymer: The poly [(3-pyrrolyl)-octanoic acid]

A new pyrrole derivative in which an alkyl chain is functionalized with a carboxyl terminal group, (beta-pyrrolyl)-octanoic acid, has been electrochemically characterized in propylene carbonate and its irreversible oxidation used to prepare conducting polymer films on platinum. Under potentiostatic control, the data points to an instantaneous nucleation and tri-dimensional growth mechanism. FTIR spectroscopy was used to prove the presence of the carboxyl acid group in the polymeric matrix, crucial feature for future biomolecule immobilization and use of this new polymer in the fabrication of effective biosensors. The voltammetric responses of the polymer modified electrodes present two redox reversible waves which relative importance is film thickness dependent; in all studied cases good stability during repetitive potential cycling was observed. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.