Protein-mediated synthesis of the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS

•Conducting polymers have been synthesized using enzymes as oxidants.•PEDOT:PSS, a conducting polymer, is synthesized with active and denatured enzymes.•Only the iron in the biomolecule is necessary for the synthesis of PEDOT:PSS.•Enzymatic activity is not required.

We report the first use of iron-containing proteins, rather than enzymes, as oxidants for the synthesis of PEDOT:PSS. Both denatured catalase, which lacks enzymatic activity, and transferrin result in polymerization. These results demonstrate that enzymatic activity is not necessary for the synthesis of PEDOT:PSS, greatly expanding the range of biomolecules that can be used as oxidants for the synthesis of conducting polymers.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide