Synthesis of water-soluble and conducting poly(2-ethylaniline) by using horseradish peroxidase

Enzymatic synthesis has been used to prepare a water-soluble and conducting poly (2-ethylaniline) in the presence of sulphonated polystyrene (SPS). The polymerization of 2-ethylaniline was performed with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a catalyst to form conducting poly(2-ethylaniline)/SPS complex with moderate electrical conductivity. The polymerization is simple and can be carried out at room temperature in pH 4.0 phosphate buffered solution. This electrochemically active polymer shows strong pH dependence of absorption and other characteristics. The formation of conducting and electroactive form of poly(2-ethylaniline)/SPS complex was confirmed through UV-vis, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry studies show only one set of redox peaks over the potential range of -0.2 to 1.0 V.