Electrophysical properties of chitosan-based composite films filled with single-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

This work focuses on new chitosan-based composite materials. In order to improve chitosan conductivity, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were added as a filler. The structure of the composites was studied using a scanning electron microscope. It is shown that the addition of SWNCT filler leads to chitosan structure ordering. The increase in SWCNT content from 0 wt.% to 3.0 wt.% leads to an increase in composite film conductivity from 10−11 to 10 S/m, with the relative dielectric permittivity change from 5.5 to 26 at 1 kHz. The effect of moisture on the films’ dielectric properties was also studied.

Keywords

• chitosan
• nanotube
• conductivity
• dielectric properties
• percolation threshold