Water-soluble polypyrroles by matrix polymerization: Interpolymer complexes

A new class of water-soluble polypyrroles (PPy) has been developed. This was accomplished by oxidative matrix polymerization of pyrrole (Py) monomer with Ce(IV) in the presence of poly (acrylic acid) (PAA), poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), and copolymers (CP) of vinyl pyrrolidone(VP) with acrylic acid (AA) [VP/AA; 25/75 (CP₁), 50/50 (CP₂), 75/25 (CP₃)]. The soluble and insoluble interpolymer complexes were observed according to the nature (and conformation) of polymers in mixture, the ratio of components, and the pH of solutions. The role of PAA, PVP, CP, Py, and Ce(IV) concentrations, the order of component addition, and the pH of the solutions were investigated. The evidence and structural reasons for the formation of soluble interpolymer complexes of PPy with different polymers are discussed. It is proposed that the compactization of the polymer matrix as well as the disturbance of the regularity of reactive groups on the polymer chain decreases the possibility of formation of soluble interpolymer complexes.