A new bifunctional template for the enzymatic synthesis of conducting polyaniline

Water soluble conducting polyaniline (PANI) is prepared using a new bifunctional template (sodium dodecyl diphenyloxide disulphonate, DODD) during the enzymatic polymerization of aniline. The bifunctional character of this new template allows an optimal environment for complex formation and polymerization, leading to PANI/DODD complexes. Electrical conductivity values of 5 × 10−2 S/cm are obtained for PANI/DODD films, whereas water solubilities of PANI/DODD complexes are superior than previously reported ones for monofunctional templates such as dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid (DBSA). The study carried out shows that electrochemical activity and reversibility properties of PANI are not affected by the use of this new structured template.