Investigation of Structural Optical Electrical and Dielectric Properties of Solid Blend Electrolytes Based on Chitosan:Polyaniline incorporating with NaI and LiI

Abstract

Solid polymer electrolytes based on biopolymer blends have attracted significant interest for sustainable electrochemical applications. Blend electrolytes were prepared through solvent cast method and under a controlled environment in the laboratory. The electrolyte consisted of a 90:10 Cs:PANI ratio with different concentrations of salt (LiI and/or NaI) and a fixed quantity of iodine (10 wt.%) of the salt. The highest values of the electrical conductivity for electrolytes with LiI were 0.78 S.cm^-1 while for electrolytes with NaI 0.64 S.cm-¹ at room temperature. The conductivity elevating with raising salts concentration and with increase temperature range 303-353 K. The structural interactions between the polymer host and ionic species were investigated using FTIR spectroscopy. The FTIR results confirmed coordination between Li⁺/Na⁺ ions and the polar functional groups of chitosan and polyaniline. UV–Vis analysis revealed enhanced optical absorption and a reduction in optical band gap with increasing salt concentration.