ARS | Publication request: Edging into the Synthetic Electroactive Polymer (Eap) Market: Solid Polymer Electrolytes Using Renewable Biomaterials

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: January 14, 2005
Publication Date: March 12, 2005
Citation: Finkenstadt, V.L. 2005. Edging into the synthetic electroactive polymer (eap) market: solid polymer electrolytes using renewable biomaterials [abstract]. American Chemical Society. p.87.

Technical Abstract: Electroactive polymers (EAPs), a new class of materials, have the potential to be used for applications like biosensors, environmentally sensitive membranes, controlled release devices, artificial muscles, actuators, corrosion protection, and components in high energy batteries. The commercialization of synthetic EAPs, however, has so far been severely limited due to chemistry, production difficulties, and functionality. Biological polymers offer a degree of functionality not available in most synthetic EAPs. Carbohydrate polymers are produced with great frequency in nature. Data from starch-based electroactive biomaterials will be presented showing that natural polysaccharides with minimal processing can exhibit electroactivity from the insulative to semi-conductive range. The choice of plasticizer or charge carrier (such as metal halides) influenced the mechanical properties as well as the electroactivity. They are solid polymer electrolytes (greater than 70% solids) rather than gel electrolytes (5% solids). We demonstrate that starch-based electroactive biomaterials reach conductance levels (10-5S/cm) comparable with synethic ion-conducting EAPs.