Biologically derived water soluble conducting polyaniline

An enzymatic, polyelectrolyte (matrix) assisted polymerization of aniline that directly leads to the formation of water soluble, electrically conducting polyaniline is reported. This new biological route is advantageous in that it offers a mild (pH 4–5), benign, one pot synthesis where the desired product requires minimal purification prior to processing. UV-visnear-IR spectroscopy, FTIR, GPC and conductivity measurements all confirm that the eluctroactive and conducting form of polyaniline, similar to that which is traditionally chemically synthesized, is formed.