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has been cited by the following article:

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

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

  KEYWORDS: Alginate, Piezoresponse Force Microscopy, Ferroelectricity, Macromolecular Self-Assembly

  JOURNAL NAME: Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry, Vol.7 No.8, August 17, 2017

  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.