Chemical polymerization of polyaniline and polypyrrole by phosphomolybdic acid - In situ formation of hybrid organic-inorganic materials

The oxidative polymerization of aniline or pyrrole by phosphomolybdic acid (H3PMo12O40) is described. These reactions take place in the absence of other anions and result in the incorporation of the photoactive and electroactive PMo12O403- anion into the lattice of the polymer. The resulting hybrid materials present the good conductivity and polymeric nature of the matrix plus the added electroactivity of the inorganic cluster, which is anchored in the polymer and not exchanged upon reduction. The hybrids can work as electrodes harnessing the electrochemical properties of the polyoxometalic clusters.