The effect of LiCF3SO3 on the complexation with potato starch-chitosan blend polymer electrolytes

This work examines the effect of lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) and glycerol on the conductivity and dielectric properties of potato starch-chitosan blend-based electrolytes. The electrolytes are prepared via solution cast technique. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the blend of 50 wt.% starch and 50 wt.% chitosan is found to be the most amorphous blend. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies show the interaction between the electrolyte materials. The room temperature conductivity of pure starch-chitosan film is found to be (2.85 ± 1.31) × 10−10 S cm−1. The incorporation of 45 wt.% LiCF3SO3 increases the conductivity to (7.65 ± 2.27) × 10−5 S cm−1. Further conductivity enhancement up to (1.32 ± 0.35) × 10−3 S cm−1 has been observed on addition of 30 wt.% glycerol. This trend in conductivity is verified by XRD and dielectric analysis. The temperature dependence of conductivity of all electrolytes are Arrhenian.