Description of New Bioelectromechanical Properties in Alginate: An Insight with a Computer Simulation

A Heredia,J M Siqueiros,V Duarte-Alaniz,O Amelines-Sarria,A Rodríguez-Galván,J J Gervacio-Arciniega

doi:10.4236/ampc.2017.78026

Abstract

Alginate biopolymer from Tropicalgin C302245 was studied by means of piezoresponse force microscopy imaging, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-rays, infrared spectroscopy and computer simulations. Local piezoresponse force microscopy images show possible ferroelectric domains detected in the out of plane mode and these results are confirmed by the second harmonic generation analysis. Alginate powder is composed by diatom frustules containing a cristobalite-like compound, amorphous silica and chitin. The experimental results are explained by MM+ and PM3 computer simulations that establish that the self-assembly of the alginate molecules enhance the polarization increasing the molecular collective dipole moment. Alginate molecular properties might open interesting possibilities for organic technological applications.

Highlights

Alginate powder is composed by diatom frustules containing a cristobalite-like compound, amorphous silica and chitin
Many biologically-originated materials possess piezoelectric properties at the nanoscale [11] such aspolymers, biomolecules and bio-structures already published [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]. It seems that molecular ferroelectricity is relevant in biology [9] [14] [17] [18] [19] rising an enquiry: whether or not the biomolecular electrical properties are relevant in biological activity, coordinating an additional molecular selection and self-assembly? If so, that assumption might contribute to the understanding of the biological functionality [20]
The alginate powder presents a clear content with different diatom species, together with the molecular assembly (Figures 1-3)

Summary

Introduction

Many biologically-originated materials possess piezoelectric properties at the nanoscale [11] such aspolymers, biomolecules and bio-structures already published [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]. It seems that molecular ferroelectricity is relevant in biology [9] [14] [17] [18] [19] rising an enquiry: whether or not the biomolecular electrical properties are relevant in biological activity, coordinating an additional molecular selection and self-assembly? The comprehension of these phenomena at the molecule scale has not been explained accurately, why polymers present this effect [24]

Methods

Results

Conclusion