Inclusion Polymerization and Doping in Zeolite Channels: Polyaniline

Abstract

Abstract Aniline has been polymerized in the three-dimensional channel system of zeolite Y. The monomer was diffused into zeolites with different levels of acidity from hexane solution. Subsequent admission of peroxydisulfate or iodate from aqueous solution yielded the intrazeolite polymers, as demonstrated by FT-IR, electronic absorption data and recovery of the included polymer. With S2O8 2-, the intrazeolite products are a function of the proton content of the zeolite. Polymer is only formed when a sufficient supply of protons is present in the zeolite host. When neutral iodate solution is used, no polymer is formed in NaY and acid zeolites, but at low pH aniline polymerizes in all zeolites. The open pore system of the zeolite host can be accessed by base such that the intrazeolite protonated polymer is transformed into the corresponding neutral polymer. The polymer chains encapsulated in zeolite hosts represent a new class of low- dimensional electronic materials.