Photopolymerization of aniline derivatives by photoinduced electron transfer for application to image formation

Conductive polyaniline was successfully generated when Flemion film contain ing tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium complex (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)) and methylviologe n (MV2+) was illuminated in an acidic aqueous solution containing N-phenyl- p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and aniline or acetone. Aniline or acetone was emp loyed to prepare PPD-incorporating particles in an acidic aqueous solution, which was important for the photopolymerization. The photopolymerization p roceeded in the solution rather than on the film when aniline was employed at higher concentration. This is due to the release of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) from the film by the ion-exchange reaction between Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) and protonated aniline. On the other hand, acetone molecules did not take part in the pho topolymerization. Acetone enables PPD to be supplied near Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) in the film without the release of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+). Addition of acetone was re vealed to be effective for the photopolymerization of aniline derivatives f or the film from the viewpoint of image formation.