(202e) Photo-Catalyzed Polymerization of Substituted Anilines Via Psi Active Sites | AIChE

(202e) Photo-Catalyzed Polymerization of Substituted Anilines Via Psi Active Sites

Authors 

Jennings, G. K., Vanderbilt University
Cliffel, D., Vanderbilt University
Oddo, T., Vanderbilt University
Photosystem I, an intrinsic protein complex in the light-depending reactions of oxygenic photosynthesis, has witnessed increasing applications in vitro for its high quantum yield and photoelectrochemical properties. The potential resulting from electron-hole splitting at the PSI active sites can induce a polymerization of substituted aniline monomers at the P700 active site. Polyaniline (PAni) is a conducting polymer that can be synthesized through oxidative polymerization of aniline. The P700 active site, with its 490 mV vs SHE reduction potential, should allow PSI to initiate and propagate oxidative polymerizations for a specific set of energetically aligned substituted aniline monomers. In this work, we report the photocatalyzed oxidation of para and ortho anisidine (methoxyaniline) via extracted PSI molecules in the presence of simulated sunlight. The emergence of a protein-polymer complex through the photo-induced polymerization is confirmed through infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and contact angle measurements. The level of conjugation and intermolecular attraction between the protein and the resulting polymer is investigated using analytical ultracentrifugation, SDS-PAGE, and photoelectrochemical measurements of protein-polymer films.