ARS | Publication request: Thermodynamics of Potassium Ferricyanide Diffusion through B-1355N Exopolysaccharide Films

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 15, 2010
Publication Date: October 15, 2010
Citation: Bucur, C.B., Cote, G.L., Finkenstadt, V.L. 2010. Thermodynamics of potassium ferricyanide diffusion through B-1355N exopolysaccharide films [abstract]. Electrochemical Society Meeting. Abstract #2096.

Technical Abstract: Biological polymers (biopolymers) offer a degree of functionality not available in most synthetic polymers. Carbohydrate polymers (polysaccharides) are produced with great frequency in nature. Starch, cellulose and chitin are some of the most abundant natural polymers on earth. We examine here for the first time a thermodynamic perspective to diffusion of potassium ferricyanide through B-1355N exopolysaccharide films deposited on gold electrodes. Films were built from various polymer concentrations and diffusion measurements were conducted at several temperatures in order to extract free Gibbs thermodynamic information about the diffusion process in order to determine structure-function properties in applications such as biosensors, environmentally sensitive membranes, artificial muscles, actuators, corrosion protection, electronic shielding, visual displays, solar materials, and components in high-energy batteries. NRRL B-1355 was shown to exhibit anticorrosive behavior in a recent study. Our goal was to thermodynamically describe the formation of the exopolysaccharide film.