Synthesis and characterization of a novel composite: Polyindole included in nanostructured Al-MCM-41 material

Polyindole/MCM-41 composite material was prepared from a mesoporous aluminosilicate, Na-AlMCM-41 used as host, by an oxidative in situ polymerization of pre-adsorbed indole, employing Cl3Fe as oxidant. Studies of infrared spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy indicate that it was possible to obtain in situ polymerization of indole (PInd molecular wire), creating a new nano-composite PInd–Na-AlMCM-41 with conductive properties and a potential material for electro-catalytic processes. The thermal properties of polyindole, Na-AlMCM-41, and the composite obtained were also investigated by TGA analyses indicating that the polymer has a higher thermal stability when forming nanowires in the composite. Conductivity studies show that PInd–Na-AlMCM-41 exhibits semiconductor behavior at room temperature and its conductivity was in the range of 4 × 10−3 S cm−1.

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► Efficient route for indole polymerization to polyindole into Na-AlMCM-41.
► These results were not reported in the literature.
► PInd–Na-AlMCM-41 has higher conductive properties.
► The new composite has an electrical conductivity greater than the pure polymer.