New Composite Biopolymer with Conductive Properties Obtained from Cassava and Poly Starch (3, 4-Ethylenedioxythiophene)

Objectives: To use of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) starch to prepare a new composite biopolymer from starch and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) starch/PEDOT with conducting properties and redox activity. Methods/Analysis: The synthesis of the composite biopolymer starch/PEDOT was carried out by thermochemical process. Its electrochemical properties were studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and the structural characteristics were determined with infrared spectroscopy. Findings: The results showed excellent redox behavior of the composite biopolymer starch/PEDOT, with oxidation and reduction of the polymer at 0.38 V and - 0.43 V potential, respectively. In addition, the kinetic of the composite biopolymer films shows to be faster and more sensitive response that the pure starch and pure PEDOT films. Moreover, a study was conducted with infrared spectroscopy to determine possible interactions or structural changes in the polymer chains of starch when combined with PEDOT. The results of these studies showed that there is an interaction between the molecules of both polymers and an improvement in the conductivity of the starch polymer. Novelty/Improvement: In this way, a composite conductive biopolymer stable from cassava starch and PEDOT was obtained, which has excellent electrochemical properties, which makes it a material with technological potential in chemical sensor or charge storage.