[Synthesis of electroconductive polyaniline using immobilized laccase]

Area of Science:

• Biocatalysis and Polymer Chemistry
• Enzyme Immobilization Techniques
• Conductive Polymer Synthesis

Context:

• Traditional methods for synthesizing conductive polymers like polyaniline (PANI) often involve harsh chemicals and conditions.
• Enzymatic polymerization offers a greener alternative, but efficiency and reusability of enzymes are key challenges.
• Developing robust immobilization strategies is crucial for industrial application of biocatalytic processes.

Purpose:

• To develop and optimize a novel biocatalytic method for synthesizing conductive polyaniline (PANI)/poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanosulfonic acid) (PAMPS) complexes.
• To immobilize laccase from Trametes hirsuta onto CM cellulose and compare its catalytic efficiency with the native enzyme.
• To characterize the spectral properties and conductivity of the synthesized PANI/PAMPS complexes.

Summary:

• A new method utilizes immobilized laccase from Trametes hirsuta as a biocatalyst for the oxidative polymerization of aniline on a poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanosulfonic acid) (PAMPS) matrix.
• Immobilization conditions were optimized, showing the immobilized laccase is an efficient and reusable catalyst for synthesizing PANI/PAMPS complexes at 4°C.
• The synthesized PANI specimens exhibited a conductance of 13 mS/cm, and their spectral characteristics were analyzed at various pH values.

Impact:

• Establishes a sustainable and efficient enzymatic route for producing conductive PANI/PAMPS complexes.
• Demonstrates the potential for repeated use of immobilized enzymes in industrial polymer synthesis, reducing costs and waste.
• Contributes to the advancement of green chemistry in materials science, offering a lower-temperature synthesis pathway.