ARS | Publication request: Electroactive Polymers Composed of Starch

Submitted to: Annual Meeting of the Bio Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 22, 2002
Publication Date: September 10, 2002
Citation: FINKENSTADT, V.L., WILLETT, J.L. ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS COMPOSED OF STARCH. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BIO ENVIRONMENTALLY DEGRADABLE POLYMER SOCIETY. 2002. Abstract p. 38.

Technical Abstract: Extruded films of plasticized starch were doped with metal halides in order to produce solid polymer electrolytes. The electrical conductance of the material was increased from 10 exp(-11) S/cm to 10 exp(-6) S/cm. The type and amount of dopant affects the conductance of the material. Although the materials are moisture sensitive, water content does not have a significant effect on the conductance of doped films. Mechanical properties of doped films indicate that the starch is plasticized and that the solid polymer electrolyte is strong and tractable. Unlike intrinsically conductive polymers, electroactive starch materials can be extruded in thin films or molded into any shape. Solid polymer electrolytes based on starch can be either intrinsically insulative or a fast ion conductor after doping.