Biocatalytic Synthesis of Conducting Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Using a Natural DNA Template

Abstract

The oxidative enzymatic polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on a biopolymer DNA template is carried out. Laccase from fungus Trametes hirsuta with a high redox potential serves as a catalyst for the monomer polymerization; atmospheric oxygen is used as the oxidizing agent. Phosphate groups of DNA biopolymer, being dopants of the main chain of synthesized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), ensure its electrical conductivity. The physicochemical properties of the obtained complex and its morphology are studied. The conductivity of the PEDOT/DNA is ~0.15 mS/cm. The synthesized electrically conducting biocompatible PEDOT/DNA interpolymer complex can potentially be used for various biomedical purposes.