Bio-based Polymeric Conductive Materials for Advanced Applications

Polymer-based materials have become the obvious alternative to conventional materials in all the areas. Polymers are utilized for extensive applications, where the conductive material application is considered as one of the potential areas. Bio-based polymers are environment friendly degradable polymers which not only reduce the solid disposal from electrical and electronics wastes but also maintains the property required for targeted application in a better way. The conductive application of bio-based polymers includes insulators, capacitor, electrochemical sensor, biosensor, biomedical, energy storage etc., where the properties of neat biopolymers need to be improved via developing bio-based polymeric composites and blends. In this regards, the composite fabrication with conductive fillers or blending with conductive polymers such as polyaniline or polypyrrole can provide conductive nature. Biodegradable polymers including poly (lactic acid), polycaprolactone, cellulose, and chitosan are utilized for different targeted applications. This present chapter discusses the different current researches based on biodegradable polymers targeting conductive material application. Moreover, the different modification techniques and possible application area of the bio-based polymers are also detailed.