View in EDS

Engineering a Low‐Cost and Sustainable Electrochemical Cell Using Sericin as a Bio‐Electrolyte.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Engineering a Low‐Cost and Sustainable Electrochemical Cell Using Sericin as a Bio‐Electrolyte.
Authors: Battampara, Prajwal1 (AUTHOR), Dhanavel, Nandhini1 (AUTHOR), Reddy, Narendra1,2 (AUTHOR), Aramwit, Pornanong3,4,5 (AUTHOR) Pornanong.A@pharm.chula.ac.th
Source: Fuel Cells. Jun2026, Vol. 26 Issue 3, p1-10. 10p.
Subjects: Sericin, Electrolytes, Ionic conductivity, Biopolymers, Energy storage, Clean energy, Electric batteries
Abstract: Sericin, a water‐soluble protein derived as a byproduct of silk processing, was investigated as a bio electrolyte in a single chambered cell. As a byproduct of silk processing, sericin is a natural, biodegradable, and sustainable biopolymer. Sericin extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons was dispersed in water at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 8% and the homogeneous solution was used as an electrolyte with graphite serving as both cathode and anode. The performance of the electrolyte (sericin) in the electrochemical cell (SEC) was evaluated by varying the applied voltage, charging time, and electrolyte concentration. Further, the ability of the electrolyte to store and release electrical energy was studied. Sericin contains both positively and negatively charged amino acids and exhibited a maximum voltage retention of 2.8 V. The performance of the SEC was strongly dependent on the operating parameters, particularly sericin concentration and applied voltage. A sericin concentration of 2% and applied voltage of 15 V for 60 min provided the maximum potential. A maximum discharge time of approximately 7 min was obtained when the SEC was fully charged and connected to a standard LED (forward voltage ∼1.8–2 V, current ∼20 mA). Electrochemical studies confirmed that the performance of the battery was mainly dependent on the sericin concentration, attributed to ionizable amino acid residues that facilitate ionic conduction through hydrogen‐bonded networks within the protein matrix. The SEC could be charged and discharged multiple times without loss of potential. In addition, ionic properties of the SEC were investigated using impedance studies, dielectric analysis, and transport number measurements. Sericin‐based electrochemical systems show promise as sustainable energy sources for low powered electronics, such as medical devices and personal care devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Fuel Cells is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Sericin, a water‐soluble protein derived as a byproduct of silk processing, was investigated as a bio electrolyte in a single chambered cell. As a byproduct of silk processing, sericin is a natural, biodegradable, and sustainable biopolymer. Sericin extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons was dispersed in water at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 8% and the homogeneous solution was used as an electrolyte with graphite serving as both cathode and anode. The performance of the electrolyte (sericin) in the electrochemical cell (SEC) was evaluated by varying the applied voltage, charging time, and electrolyte concentration. Further, the ability of the electrolyte to store and release electrical energy was studied. Sericin contains both positively and negatively charged amino acids and exhibited a maximum voltage retention of 2.8 V. The performance of the SEC was strongly dependent on the operating parameters, particularly sericin concentration and applied voltage. A sericin concentration of 2% and applied voltage of 15 V for 60 min provided the maximum potential. A maximum discharge time of approximately 7 min was obtained when the SEC was fully charged and connected to a standard LED (forward voltage ∼1.8–2 V, current ∼20 mA). Electrochemical studies confirmed that the performance of the battery was mainly dependent on the sericin concentration, attributed to ionizable amino acid residues that facilitate ionic conduction through hydrogen‐bonded networks within the protein matrix. The SEC could be charged and discharged multiple times without loss of potential. In addition, ionic properties of the SEC were investigated using impedance studies, dielectric analysis, and transport number measurements. Sericin‐based electrochemical systems show promise as sustainable energy sources for low powered electronics, such as medical devices and personal care devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:16156846
DOI:10.1002/fuce.70117