Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vol.96, No.1-3, 83-92, 2001
Electrochemically synthesized polymer of the plant substance embelin (2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone)
Among the possible new materials for microelectronics, quinones have a number of significant advantages. Similarly, polymers with quinone functionality possess biodegradability. Because natural polymers are promising candidates for functional materials for the future, we have initiated studies on the polymers of natural products. In the present study, a natural quinone (a plant substance) extracted from Embelier libes distributed in the Kerala state of India was electrochemically polymerized and its properties were investigated. The redox activity, electrical conductivity, and biodegradability are discussed.
Keywords:embelin;polymerization of embelin;biodegradable polymers;quinone polymer;conducting polymer