PVA cryogels obtained by biomimetic synthesis of polyaniline using hematin supported on halloysite nanotubes as catalyst

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We studied the biomimetic synthesis of polyaniline as an alternate route to prepare electrical conductive cryogels (ECC), unique structures that combine intrinsic conductivity and hydrogel properties. For that purpose, hematin a natural porphyrin with peroxidase-like activity was supported in the lumen of halloysite nanotubes to be used as a biomimetic catalyst to polymerize aniline on its’ conductive form, both the catalyst and the final product were characterized by TEM and XPS. Experiments using this catalyst were carried out to probe the in situ and ex situ synthesis of PANI in the presence of PVA to further obtain cryogels. TGA, FTIR, swelling behavior, conductivity and resistivity were used to characterize ECC. Both the in situ and ex situ biomimetic synthesis of polyaniline allowed the cryogel structure formation. The best result of swelling behavior was obtained when PANI was synthesized in situ. It is expected that such materials could be innocuous and free of any toxic contaminant, due to the synthesis method.

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Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: TechConnect Briefs 2019
Published: June 17, 2019
Pages: 478 - 481
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topics: Informatics, Modeling & Simulation, Modeling & Simulation of Microsystems
ISBN: 978-0-9988782-8-7