Thesis
Control of soy protein structures and interactions in biocomposites enabling the fabrication of bio-based solid polymer electrolytes
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102445
Abstract
Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) offer a promising solution to the safety issues plaguing conventional liquid electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries due to their thermal and chemical stability as well as low toxicity. However, current SPEs suffer from low ionic conductivity and lithium ion transference number. Many researchers have sought to improve the performance of SPEs by incorporating various organic and inorganic additives, though no researchers outside of this group have studied the use of abundant and structurally complex plant proteins in electrolyte materials. Soy protein, in addition to its wide abundance, possesses many polar and reactive functional groups (allowing for possible interactions with ions), as well as an intricate three-dimensional structure that can be controlled by denaturation. This work focuses on the control of soy protein structures and interactions within an ion-conducting polymer host, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Two techniques, control of denaturation conditions and the selection of salt concentration and type, resulted in a wide range of protein morphologies and protein-PEO interactions in the composite. Since phase morphology and interactions are critical to the performance of composite SPEs, this research lays the groundwork for the design and fabrication of high-performance, environmentally benign SPEs based on soy protein.
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Details
- Title
- Control of soy protein structures and interactions in biocomposites enabling the fabrication of bio-based solid polymer electrolytes
- Creators
- Allen Warner Eyler
- Contributors
- Weihong Zhong (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525152001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis