Enzymes can be used as alternative environmentally friendly catalysts for chemical reactions to synthesize conductive polymeric materials or to produce pigments for coloration. Copolymerization of aniline and phenols (isoeugenol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, resorcinol, catechol and guaiacol) was performed with laccase as a biocatalyst. Polymerization reactions were carried out under optimum conditions for the enzyme. The structure of the reaction products was analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy and a possible reaction path is being proposed. Overall, the yield of poly(aniline-co-isoeugenol) was the highest (48.3%). The copolymer products were made into films and their conductivity measured and compared with that of enzymatically produced polyaniline.  The products were more or less tacky, and possible applications of these copolymers as conductive adhesives are being explored. Some of the copolymers also show potential anti-microbial capabilities.

Copolymerization of aniline and phenols catalyzed by laccase

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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