ELECTROCHEMICAL STUDY OF COMPOSITE BIOPOLYMER PPY/CASSAVA STARCH

Abstract

This paper presents the synthesis and electrochemical study of a composite films biopolymer of cassava starch and polypyrrole (PPy/cassava starch). These composite films biopolymer were prepared by vapor deposition polymerization of pyrrole on cassava starch films. Infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were carried out. The FTIR spectra of plasticized films presented more hydrogen bound hydroxyl groups in the polymer starch chains that the unplasticized films and the PPy/cassava starch spectra evidence possible interactions between PPy and starch biopolymer film. The results obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate that the addition of plasticizer (glycerol) and polypyrrole generate a highest conducting that unplasticized films. Besides, the plasticizer and the polypyrrole incorporation produce electroactivity in the biopolymer films. In conclusion, the composite biopolymer PPy/cassava starch showed interesting electrochemical activity and high conductivity enabling future technological applications.