Modification of Electrodes with Porphirin-functionalysed Conductive Polymers

A new thiophene derivative has been synthesised, in which a porphyrin moiety has been inserted in the beta position of the heterocyclic ring. The homopolymer deriving from this monomer has been prepared by chemical oxidation and subsequently deposited on a glassy carbon electrode, while the copolymer with dithiophene has been generated electrochemically directly on the electrode surface. Both materials have been characterised by SEM, and by UV-visible and IR spectroscopies. The electrochemical behaviour of the relevant coatings has been studied and the complexing ability of the polymer chains has been investigated with respect to the Ni(II) ion.