Impedance spectroscopy of protein solutions

Abstract

The development and research of new types of materials is one of the most important steps ensuring technological progress. However, the development of society leads to a change in the approach to development and to the requirements to put forward to new materials. Modern society needs materials that not only have better characteristics, but are also safe and environmentally friendly. Spider silk satisfies all these requirements. This Master`s thesis is devoted to the study of protein solutions, which can be used to create artificial spider silk fibers, which properties are close to the properties of natural spider silk fibers. The study was carried out by using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. A special measuring cell was developed for the study of protein solutions. The dependencies of impedance on concentration of proteins in the solution, time and temperature were obtained. Several theories about processes of adsorption and aggregation and their impact on the impedance of the system were created on the basis of these dependencies. In addition, an equivalent circuit was selected and a test fitting was performed.