Synthesis, characterization and properties of an electroactive polymer having oligoaniline and binaphthyl units

A novel polymer containing oligoaniline and binaphthyl units, exhibiting an exciting molecular structure, interesting spectroscopic and electrochemical properties, has been synthesized through oxidative coupling polymerization. The polymerization characteristics and chemical structure of the polymer were systematically studied. The oxidation state and doping level of the polymer were evaluated through X-ray photoelectron spectra. In addition, cyclic voltammetry results suggest that the obtained polymer has an intrinsic electrochemical activity similar to polyaniline. In the case of the optically active polymer, we observed a specific Cotton effect and an ultra high value of the specific rotation of the polymer solution. What is more, the conductivity of the polymer was about 3.26 × 10−6 S cm−1 at room temperature upon preliminarily protonic-doped experiment.