Photo-cross-linked immobilization of polyelectrolytes for enzymatic construction of conductive nanocomposites

Horseradish peroxidase has been demonstrated to catalyze the oxidative polymerization of aniline to form conductive polyaniline. This process is facilitated by the presence of a macromolecular template with sulfonic acid groups that provide a unique environment for the formation of the conducting polymer. Here we report the use of a photo-cross-linkable thymine-based polymer with phenylsulfonate groups as a templating substrate. This allows for an aqueous-based environmentally benign photopatterning of a conductive material. A description and results of this process are presented.