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Effects of Aging on Poly(vinyl alcohol) Gels

Undergraduate #165
Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Electrical Engineering
Session: 2
Room: Exhibit Hall

Larry Matthew G Minor - Florida State University
Co-Author(s): Arash Takshi, Ph.D., University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida



Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gels are a form of electrolyte commonly used in electrochemical devices. However, age can drastically affect the viscosity and electrical conductivity of a gel, eventually making it unviable. To evaluate how aging affects the properties of a PVA based gel, using PVA with different acids, a variety of gels were synthesized and tested regularly using a viscometer and a four-probe conductivity measurement system. Phosphoric acid-based gels with high concentrations of acid were found to be the most viable out of the tested forms despite the increased risk of elevated viscosity. The results may be used to determine the most appropriate gel synthesis procedure more efficiently and to allow better consideration of how aging may affect the results of subsequent experiments using the gels. Future research should involve testing over a longer period and further testing of the properties of gels made with different acids and concentrations.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): This research was funded by the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program Award Number 1560303.

Faculty Advisor: Arash Takshi, Ph.D., atakshi@usf.edu

Role: Synthesized all poly(vinyl alcohol) gel samples and performed all tests.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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