Electrohydrodynamic polymerisation of water-soluble poly((4-(3-pyrrolyl))butane sulfonate)

Water-soluble conducting poly((4-(3-pyrrolyl))butane sulfonate) [PPyBS] has been synthesised using an electrohydrodynamic processing technique using h igh-surface-area porous reticulated vitreous carbon anode and cathodes. Opt imisation studies for the synthesis of the homopolymer established maximum molecular weights and electrical conductivities of ca. 10,500 Da and 0.01 S /cm, respectively. It was found that only short electrosynthesis times are needed to initiate polymerisation that then continues to completion simply upon standing. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.