Plant Polymer Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: Advanced Starch-Based Materials for Non-Food Applications

Location: Plant Polymer Research

Title: Preparation and Characterization of Electroactive Biopolymers

Authors

Submitted to: Macromolecular Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2004
Publication Date: July 1, 2005
Citation: Finkenstadt, V.L., Willett, J.L. Preparation and characterization of electroactive biopolymers. Macromolecular Symposium. 2005. p.40.

Interpretive Summary: Starch-based electroactive biomaterials are solid polymer electrolytes utilizing ion mobility as the primary mode of conduction within the polymer matrix. Biological polymers (biopolymers) offer a degree of functionality not available in most synthetic ICPs. Biopolymers are a renewable resource and have a wide range of uses such as biosensors, membranes, and biomedical devices. Agriculture-based electroactive biopolymers could also have an economic advantage over synthetic, petroleum-based products in the future.

Technical Abstract: Biopolymers have the potential for use as a matrix for applications such as controlled release devices, environmentally sensitive membranes, mimic materials and energetic applications. Renewable resources (such as starch) can be utilized as polymer matrices for electroactive materials that are sensitive to their environment. Natural polymers are generally more environmentally-friendly and biocompatible than existing synthetic products. Thermoplastic starch is naturally insulative; however, the chemical, electrical, and mechanical properties of the biopolymer matrix can be tailored for specific functionality in a continuous process utilizing reactive extrusion. Conductance can be measured in the solid state by a direct-current resistance method. Ion-conducting materials, produced by doping thermoplastic starch and biopolymers with metal halides, have 5 orders of magnitude greater conductance than native materials. There is a correlation between polymer mobility and conductance. Plant or microbial biopolymers with ionic functional groups have shown promise for higher levels of conductance. The conductance approaches the level of synthetic polymer electrolytes.

   

 
Project Team
Willett, Julious - J L
Momany, Frank
Finkenstadt, Victoria
Shogren, Randal - Randy
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
 
Related Projects
   Determination of Structure-Property Relationships in Biological Macromolecules Using Biophysical Approaches
   Agricultural Polymers for Prevention of Corrosion on Metals
   Starch Foam Production by Extrusion
 
 
Last Modified: 05/13/2009
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House