Preparation of membranes by electropolymerization of pyrrole functionalized by a ferrocene group

The preparation of dense membranes by the electropolymerization of functionalized pyrrole (Py) by ferrocene units was carried out. The synthesis of N‐[3‐(pyrrol‐1‐yl)propyl]ferrocene‐1‐carboxamide (or [(ferrocenyl)amidopropyl] pyrrole, FAPP) is described. The electropolymerization of the monomer on platinum electrode and on stainless‐steel meshes was studied. The electroactivity of the grafted ferrocenyl group of the FAPP monomer was confirmed and the electrochemical properties of the electrogenerated FAPP film were investigated. The stability in potentiostatic and potentiodynamic modes of FAPP films was low and, to improve the latter, the electrochemical preparation of the copolymer between the pyrrole and the FAPP was performed. The electrochemical characterization of the copolymer showed that it was possible to control the oxidation state of both electroactive compounds of the film. The FAPP/Py copolymer was then prepared on stainless‐steel meshes to produce membranes, whose transport properties were electrochemically controllable. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3947–3958, 2004     

Ferrocene clicked polypyrrole derivatives: effect of spacer group on electrochemical properties and post-polymerization functionalization

In this study, novel ferrocene-functionalized N-alkyl substituted pyrrole derivatives, namely 4-ferrocenyl-1-[3-(pyrrol-1-yl)propyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (Py3Fc), 4-ferrocenyl-1-[4-(pyrrol-1-yl)butyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (Py4Fc), and 4-ferrocenyl-1-[6-(pyrrol-1-yl)hexyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazole (Py6Fc), were synthesized via click reaction and the monomers were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, and HRMS techniques. Redox properties of the monomers were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies. Contrary to general literature, both Py4Fc and Py6Fc were electrochemically polymerized without loss in redox activity of ferrocene group. Moreover, click chemistry was utilized in post-polymerization functionalization. For this purpose, three azide-containing polypyrroles, P(Py3N₃), P(Py4N₃), and P(Py6N₃) were electrochemically synthesized and subjected to click reaction in the presence of ethynylferrocene. CV studies of the post-polymerization functionalized polymers revealed quasi-reversible waves, while only P(Py6-post-Fc) showed the characteristic redox behavior of both polypyrrole and ferrocene. Thus, in this study preparation of a conducting homopolymers of pyrrole having covalently bonded ferrocene units was demonstrated and effect of spacer group is investigated.     

Investigation of the electroactivity,conductivity, and morphology of poly(pyrrole‐co‐N‐alkyl pyrrole) prepared via electrochemical nanopolymerization and chemical polymerization

The copolymerization of pyrrole (Py) with N‐ethyl pyrrole, N‐butyl pyrrole, and N‐octyl pyrrole (NOPy) was carried out by electrochemical and chemical oxidation. In the electrochemical method, copolymer thin films with different feed ratios of monomers were synthesized by the cyclic voltammetry method in a lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄)/acetonitrile (CH₃CN) electrolyte on the surface of a glassy carbon working electrode. The deposition conditions on the glassy carbon, the influence of the molar ratios of the monomers on the formation of the copolymers, and the electroactivity of the copolymers were investigated with cyclic voltammetry. Nanoparticles made of a conjugate of the copolymers with different feed ratios of monomers were prepared by chemical polymerization (conventional and interfacial methods) in the presence of iron(III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃·6H₂O) as the oxidant. Nanostructural copolymers with higher conductivities were synthesized by simple tuning of the preparation conditions in a two‐phase medium. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and four‐probe conductivity measurement techniques were applied for the characterization of the obtained copolymers. The conductivity of the obtained copolymer by an interfacial method with chloroform as the organic phase was 20 times higher than the copolymer obtained via an interfacial method with toluene as the organic phase and 700 times higher than the copolymer prepared by the conventional method (for a molar ratio of 70 : 30 Py : NOPy). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Synthesis of N-(aminoalkyl) chitosan for microcapsules

Chitosan was chemically modified by alkylation with N-(2-bromoethyl) phthalimide, N-(3-bromopropyl) phthalimide, and N-(4-bromobutyl) phthalimide. The resulting N-(phthalidimidoalkyl) chitosans were treated with hydrazine to remove the phthalidimido group resulting in the final N-(aminoalkyl) chitosan products. For comparison purposes, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was alkylated with N-(3-bromopropyl) phthalimide, then treated with hydrazine to give the N-(3-aminopropyl) PVA product. All alkylation products were characterized by solution ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and by solid-state CP-MAS ¹³C-NMR. The above synthetic polymer derivatives, as well as chitosan, polyallyl amine, and polyethylen-imine, were used to form membrane coatings around calcium alginate beads in which blue dextran of molecular weight 7.08×10⁴ or 26.6×10⁴ was entrapped. These microcapsules were prepared by extrusion of a solution of blue dextran in sodium alginate into a solution containing calcium chloride and the membrane polymer. Membrane integrity and permeability were assessed by measuring the elution of the blue dextran from the capsules, spectrophotometrically. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Conducting poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(1-Naphthyl) ethylene-diamine dihydrochloride) electropolymerization,characterization and electroanalytical applications

Uniform conducting polymer films of poly(N-(1-Naphthyl) ethylene-diamine dihydrochloride), PNED, were prepared conveniently and reproducibly by the anodic oxidation of the monomer, N-(1-Naphthyl) ethylene-diamine dihydrochloride, NED, in an acidic aqueous solution using the conventional potentiodynamic technique. The different parameters influencing the preparation conditions like monomer concentration, solvent constitution, scan range, scan rate, scan repetition, rotation speed of the working electrode and the type of the substrate were investigated and the optimum preparation conditions are specified. The stability of the prepared films was tested in both aqueous and non-aqueous media. The characteristics of the polymer films and their electrochemical activity towards catalyzing some technologically promising redox reactions were also examined. The films were found to be very stable in aqueous solutions and in some organic solvents like acetone, acetonitrile, and chloroform and dimethyl sulfoxide. The film stability was found to depend on the solution pH. The polymer films were capable of catalyzing the redox processes of several natural products and amino acids e.g. vitamin C and glycine. The polymer film possesses electrochromic properties and the color of the film changes from purple to violet to dark blue and then to brown according to the preparation and/or polarization conditions. The electrochromic properties are related to polaron formation, which subsequently oxidizes to diimine species followed by the oxidation of the aromatic ring. The mechanism of the polymerization process was investigated and discussed. The process involves deprotonation reactions and a head-to-tail coupling of the oxidized monomer with cation radicals. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with N-(methoxyphenyl) itaconimides

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of N-(3-methoxyphenyl) itaconimide (MAI) and N-(4-methoxyphenyl) itaconimide (PAI) obtained by the reaction of itaconic anhydride with m-anisidine and p-anisidine, respectively. Structural and thermal characterization of MAI and PAI monomers was performed with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis. Copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with various amounts of MAI or PAI ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 was performed in solution with azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. Structural and molecular characterization of copolymers was performed with FTIR, ¹H-NMR, elemental analysis, and gel permeation chromatography. The nitrogen percentage was used to calculate the copolymer composition. The monomer reactivity ratios for MMA–MAI copolymers were found to be 1.00 ± 0.01 for MMA and 0.99 ± 0.07 for MAI; those for MMA–PAI copolymers were 0.93 ± 0.02 for MMA and 1.11 ± 0.10 for PAI. The molecular weights of the copolymers were in the range of 0.94–9.7 × 10³ (number-average molecular weight) and 3.3–101.8 × 10³ (weight-average molecular weight), with polydispersity indices in the range of 1.5–4.1. The molecular weight decreased with the increasing molar fraction of imide in the polymer backbone. The glass-transition temperature, as determined from DSC scans, increased with increasing amounts of itaconimides in the copolymers. A significant improvement in the char yield, as determined by thermogravimetry, was observed upon copolymerization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation, structure and electrochemistry of a polypyrrole hybrid film with [Pd(dmit)2], bis(1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate)palladate(II)

The synthesis of a hybrid material obtained by electropolymerization of a solution of pyrrole and [NEt₄]₂[Pd(dmit)₂] (1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate, [dmit]²⁻, [C₃S₅]²⁻) in acetonitrile solution is reported. FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy showed that the [Pd(dmit)₂]²⁻ anion had been inserted in the polypyrrole framework without modification during the electropolymerization process. Cyclic voltammetry showed that the material has electroactivity undergoing redox processes related to the conducting polymer and the counteranion. The electrochemical results also suggest that the counteranion is not trapped in the PPy matrix undergoing anion exchange during the redox cycle of PPy. The PPy/[Pd(dmit)₂]²⁻ exhibits good thermal stability and has a higher intrinsic conductivity value (4.27 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) than do other PPy/dmit films previously studied.     

Poly(2-aminobiphenyl), preparation,characterization, mechanism,and kinetics of the electropolymerization process

Electropolymerization of 2-aminobiphenyl was carried out on glassy carbon, gold, and platinum electrodes, in aqueous–organic solvent mixtures, using a potentiodynamic technique. The choice of organic solvent strongly influences the film formation. In a mixture of 60% acetonitrile and 40% 1.0M HClO₄, stable films were obtained. The poly(2-aminobiphenyl) films were characterized with cyclic voltammetry, where the electrochemical activity of the formed polymer films was investigated in acidic and neutral aqueous solutions containing perchlorates or in potassium ferrocyanide. The prepared films posses a remarkable stability in acidic aqueous solutions and are also stable in some organic solvents. The stability of the polymer films depends on the pH of the solution, and the mechanism of the polymerization process involves deprotonation and head-to-tail coupling of oxidized monomers with its oligomeric radical cations. The kinetics of the electropolymerization process was investigated by determining the charge consumed during the electropolymerization as a function of time at different concentrations of the electrolyte components. The electropolymerization process follows first-order kinetics with respect to the monomer and negative order with respect to HClO₄. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Electrochemical copolymerization and stability of crosslinked bis[1,2‐(pyrrol)ethoxy]ethane with pyrrole

The copolymers, pyrrole‐co‐bis[1,2‐(pyrrol)ethoxy]ethane (PEE), were produced by electropolymerization in acetonitrile (containing 0.1 mol L⁻¹ lithium perchlorate). The properties and morphology of these polymers were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis absorption spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results exhibit that the cyclic voltammograms and rates of electropolymerization of the prepared copolymers were significantly affected by PEE concentration in water and acetonitrile solution. Higher applied potential was required for the polymerization with decreasing the ratio of pyrrole/PEE. This was ascribed to the steric hindrance of high concentration of N‐substituted groups. The SEM images of the poly(pyrrole‐co‐PEE) and PPEE films show more compact and more smooth morphology compared with that of PPy and cyclic voltammogram of the poly(pyrrole‐co‐PEE) films, which display good electrochemical stability in the mixed solution, indicating that the modification of crosslinked structure was effective for the stabilization of the redox cycles. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Application performance and surface morphologies of amino polysiloxanes with different amino values and amino types

Amino polysiloxanes (APSs) with different amino values and amino types were synthesized and applied to cotton fabrics. Softening and smoothening properties of the fabrics treated with APSs were investigated and evaluated by measuring wrinkle recovery angles and friction coefficients, and the morphological features of the APSs adsorbed onto cellulose substrate films were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM). The results indicate that the amino values and amino types of the APSs have a significant impact on the softening and smoothening properties of the fabrics. APSs with relatively high amino values exhibit superior smoothening property, while APSs with moderate amino values exhibit excellent softening property. Compared to the traditional softener N‐β‐aminoethyl‐γ‐aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐1), the new amino type softeners γ‐piperazinylpropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐2) and N‐γ'‐dimethylaminopropyl‐γ‐aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐3) gave better fabric performance, whereas aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐4) and N‐cyclohexyl‐γ‐aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐5) gave unsatisfactory fabric performance. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Optimization of electrically conductive films: Poly(3-methylthiophene) or polypyrrole in Kapton

A method to generate conductive films composed of small amounts of conductive polymer absorbed into the surface of polyimide films has been optimized. Both pyrrole (PY) and 3-methylthiophene (3MT) were evaluated as precursors for the conductive phase. Predictive models were empirically derived for each precursor to describe the effects of polymerization variables on the conductivity of the films. The variables studied were found to be highly synergistic. An optimum set of conditions was found for each conductive polymer that produces the highest conductivity. Using p-3MT as the conductive phase, films with conductivity as high as 5.7 Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ can be produced, an improvement of four orders of magnitude over previously reported results with Kapton as a base polymer. The highest conductivity achieved using p-PY as the conductive phase was 0.041 Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹, still a two order of magnitude improvement over previously reported results. Mean mechanical properties of the 3MT-treated films were not significantly lower than that for untreated Kapton. The conductivities of p-3MT/Kapton films tested over time under ambient temperature in air persist fairly well for 300 days. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 821–834, 1997     

Copolymers of pyrrole and N-(hydroxypropyl)pyrrole: properties and interaction with DNA

Copolymers derived from mixtures of pyrrole and N-(hydroxypropyl)pyrrole have been prepared electrochemically using various concentration ratios. Copolymers were generated on stainless electrodes by chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry in a LiClO₄ acetonitrile solution. Relevant physical (density and doping level) and electrochemical (electroactivity and electrostability) properties of the copolymers have been examined and compared with those of the two corresponding homopolymers, which were prepared using the same electrochemical procedures. Results show that the copolymer obtained using the 25:75 N-(hydroxypropyl)pyrrole:pyrrole molar ratio presents an interesting behavior. Finally, the ability of the latter copolymer to form specific interactions with plasmid DNA has been compared with that of polypyrrole.     

Electropolymerization and electrochemical properties of (N-hydroxyalkyl)pyrrole/pyrrole copolymers

In this study, the N-hydroxyalkyl derivatives of pyrrole (Py), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrole (HE) and N-(3-hydroxypropyl)pyrrole (HP), were synthesized. The corresponding homopolymers, PHE and PHP, together with the copolymers of Py/HE and those of Py/HP were prepared by galvanostatic polymerization. These monomers and polymers were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, SEM and electrochemical techniques. The result of potential-time profiles showed that a higher potential was required for HE and HP than Py for the polymerization. This was ascribed to the steric hindrance of high concentration of the N-hydroxyalkyl groups. However, a similar potential was observed for the copolymerization of Py/HE and Py/HP systems as that of Py due to the reduction of the steric effect by lower content of the substituent. The SEM micrographs showed a rougher morphology for the films synthesized from the solutions with higher Py/derivatives ratio. The cyclic voltammograms indicated that all the copolymers were larger, while the homopolymers had smaller anodic/cathodic currents and specific charges than PPy. This implied that the existence of the proper amount of the N-hydroxyalkyl pendant groups enhanced the ionic mobility of the pyrrole polymers. The results of charge/discharge measurements showed that the copolymer PYHP82 has the highest discharge capacity among the pyrrole polymers prepared.     

Electrochemical oxidation-induced polymerization of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[3-(N-ethylcarbazoyl)]porphyrin. Formation and characterization of a novel electroactive porphyrin thin film

The formation and characterization of novel polymer modified Pt and ITO electrodes obtained by electropolymerization is depicted. The presences of porphyrin, a powerful optical and redox active center, together with carbazole, a well-known hole-transporting material, confer to the polymer electric and optical activity, with potential application in the development of organic optoelectronic devices. 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis[3-(N-ethylcarbazoyl)]porphyrin form conductive, stable and reproducible electropolymer films. Combined electrochemical and spectroscopic studies show that the electropolymerization mechanism involves the dimerization of carbazole units. During coupling of carbazole radicals, protons are released to the media and porphyrin film is protonated, generating the porphyrin dication. The observation of the characteristic porphyrin electronic spectrum after reduction of the film indicates that the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle remains unaltered in the electrogenerated polymer. The formation of a broad band that extends into the near-IR region upon polymer oxidation is in agreement with the presence of a conducting polymer with good charge transport capability.     

Syntheses and electrochromic and fluorescence properties of three double dithienylpyrroles derivatives

Three double dithienylpyrroles derivatives have been successfully prepared by performing a Knorr–Paal condensation between 1,4-di(thiophen-2-yl) butane-1,4-dione and various aromatic diamines. Additionally, their corresponding polymer films were synthesized via electropolymerization. Their electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and electrochromic behaviors were further investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. Scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the polymer films possessed homogeneous, compact and smooth layer structures and thermal stabilities (up to nearly 180 °C). Cyclic voltammograms and UV–vis absorption spectra studies showed that the polymer films have stable, well-defined, reversible redox processes, low optical band gaps (E_g < 2.2 eV) and multicolor electrochromic behaviors. Additionally, the fluorescence spectra study showed that all of the monomers and polymers exhibited different intensity emission bands at different wavelengths.     

Conducting polymer/carbon nanotube composite films made by in situ electropolymerization using an ionic surfactant as the supporting electrolyte

We have demonstrated a simple and general strategy, namely in situ electropolymerization by using an ionic surfactant as the electrolyte, for alignment of disordered CNTs within conducting polymer/carbon nanotube composite films. The single- or multi-walled CNTs were first dispersed in an aqueous solution containing SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), then electroactive monomer pyrrole or N-methylpyrrole was added into the above mixture, finally electrochemical reaction was proceeded at the surface of the Au electrode and correspondingly a series of conducting polymer/carbon nanotube composite films with the orientation of carbon nanotubes were obtained.     

Amine functionalization of poly(styryl)lithium with N-(benzylidene)trimethylsilylamine

Functionalization reactions of poly(styryl)lithium with N-(benzylidene)-trimethylsilylamine produce polymers containing significant amounts of coupling products for M_n = 2.8 × 10³g/mol (19% coupling) and M_n = 15 × 10³g/mol (15% coupling). Isolation and characterization of the products for the amination of poly(styryl)lithium with M_n = 2.8 × 1³g/mol indicates that the non-coupled products consist of a primary amine-terminated polymer (69% yield) and an acetophenone-type functionalized polymer (12% yield). The dimeric product (19% yield) has a primary amine functional group. The formation of these products is rationalized by a Cannizzaro-type reaction of the initially formed polymeric lithium silylamide product with excess N-(benzylidene)(trimethylsilylamine to form the corresponding polymer with imine chain-end functionality which can react with another molecule of poly(styryl)lithium to form dimer product or hydrolyze to the acetophenone functionality on work-up.     

Polymer Electrolytes Based on Polymeric Ionic Liquid Poly(methyl 2-(3-vinylimidazolidin-1-yl)acetate bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide)

A new kind of ionic liquid monomer methyl 2-(3-vinylimidazolidin-1-yl)acetate bromide (MVIm-Br) and polymeric ionic liquid (PIL), poly(methyl 2-(3-vinylimidazolidin-1-yl)acetate bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) (PMVIm-TFSI), were synthesized and characterized. Different compositions of polymer electrolytes were prepared by blending PMVIm-TFSI and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) with poly(methylmethacrylate-co-vinyl acetate) (P(MMA-VAc)). The thermal stability and ionic conductivity improved significantly when PMVIm-TFSI was added into P(MMA-VAc)/LiTFSI polymer. For the polymer electrolytes obtained, the highest ionic conductivity at 30 °C is 4.71 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ and the corresponding decomposition temperature is ca. 308 °C. Moreover, P(MMA-VAc)/PMVIm-TFSI/LiTFSI electrolyte membrane (transmittance ≥90%) can be used as the ion-conductive layer material for electrochromic devices, which reveal excellent electrochromic performance.     

Production and characterization of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) co‐polymer by a N2‐fixing cyanobacterium,Nostoc muscorum Agardh

BACKGROUND: Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB‐co‐3HV)] co‐polymer has immense potential in the field of environmental and biomedical sciences as biodegradable and biocompatible material. The present study examines a filamentous N₂‐fixing cyanobacterium, Nostoc muscorum Agardh as a potent feedstock for P(3HB‐co‐3HV) co‐polymer production and characterization of co‐polymer film for commercial applications. RESULTS: Under photoautotrophic growth conditions, N. muscorum Agardh accumulated the homopolymer of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB), whereas synthesis of P(3HB‐co‐3HV) co‐polymer was detected under propionate‐ and valerate‐supplemented conditions. Exogenous carbons such as acetate, fructose and glucose supplementation with propionate/valerate was found highly stimulatory for the co‐polymer accumulation; the content reached 58–60% of dry cell weight (dcw) under P‐/N‐deficiencies with 0.4% acetate + 0.4% valerate supplementation, the highest value reported so far for P(3HB‐co‐3HV) co‐polymer‐producing cyanobacterial species. The material properties of the films were studied by mechanical tests, surface analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). CONCLUSION: N. muscorum Agardh, a photoautotrophic N₂‐fixing cyanobacterium, emerged as a potent host for production of P(3HB‐co‐3HV) co‐polymer with polymer content 60% of dry cell weight. The material properties of the films were found to be comparable with that of the commercial polymer, thus advocating its potential applications in various fields. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Protein adsorption materials based on conducting polymers: polypyrrole modified with ω‐(N‐pyrrolyl)‐octylthiol

In order to fabricate a new polymer matrix for application in biochips and to understand the mechanism of adsorption of proteins on conducting polymers, we prepared polypyrrole (PPy) functionalized with ω‐(N‐pyrrolyl)‐octylthiol moieties. The chemical structure of the polymer could be controlled by varying the concentration of pyrrole added as the monomer. Initially, ω‐(N‐pyrrolyl)‐octylthiol was self‐assembled into a monolayer on a gold surface. Thereafter, a layer of uniform and smooth PPy was obtained by the chemical copolymerization of pyrrole and the ω‐(N‐pyrrolyl)‐octylthiol. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on the polymer was investigated using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammograms. The chemical structure and monomer components of the as‐prepared films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Water contact angle measurements were used to assess the surface wettability of the films throughout the preparative procedure. The kinetics of BSA adsorption onto the polymer could be controlled by varying the copolymer thickness and the pH value of the buffer solutions used. Moreover, the electroactivity was changed upon BSA binding. The results suggest that the new conducting polymer may potentially be applied as a more sensitive and reliable matrix in protein sensors. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry