ARS | Publication request: Biopolymers As Electroactive Bioplastics

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2005
Publication Date: September 11, 2005
Citation: Finkenstadt, V.L. 2005. Biopolymers as electroactive bioplastics [abstract]. American Association of Cereal Chemists. p.54.

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. Current technology utilizes synethetic polymers such as poly(aniline). Biopolymers have some advantages over synthetic EAPs. Carbohydrate polymers are produced with great frequency in nature, and starch is one of the most abundant natural polymers on earth. The electroactive bioplastics are solid polymer electrolytes (>70% solids) rather than gel electrolytes (<5% solids). Data will be presented showing that starch and other biopolymers can express ranges of electroactivity from insulative to semi-conductive. We demonstrate that starch-based electroactive bioplastics reach conductance levels (10-3S/cm) comparable to synthetic ion-conducting EAPs and have more desirable mechanical properties.