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Cellulose ionics: switching ionic diode responses by surface charge in reconstituted cellulose films
Barak D B Aaronson1, David Wigmore, Marcus A Johns
1Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. f.marken@bath.ac.uk.
The Analyst
|August 30, 2017
Summary
Cellulose and chitosan films with microholes exhibit significant current rectification, acting as "ionic diodes." Modified cellulose shows cationic diode behavior, while chitosan doping results in anionic diode effects, paving the way for sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cellulose and chitosan are biocompatible polymers with potential in advanced materials.
- Ionic liquid processing offers a novel route for creating functional polymer films.
- Microscale features in films can induce unique transport phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate current rectification in cellulose and chitosan-modified cellulose films with laser-drilled microholes.
- To characterize the ionic diode behavior as a function of various parameters.
- To explore potential applications in sensing and signal amplification.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of cellulose and chitosan-modified cellulose films (approx. 5 μm thickness) on poly(ethylene-terephthalate) (PET) substrates.
- Creation of laser-drilled microholes (5, 10, 20, 40 μm diameter) in the films.
- Electrochemical measurements of current rectification in aqueous NaCl solutions.
Main Results:
- Cellulose films exhibited cationic diode behavior (cation conductivity).
- Chitosan-doped cellulose films showed anionic diode behavior (anion conductivity).
- Ionic diode behavior was dependent on NaCl concentration, pH, microhole diameter, and chitosan molecular weight.
Conclusions:
- Cellulose and chitosan-modified cellulose films with microholes function as effective ionic diodes.
- The ionic transport properties can be tuned by chitosan doping and film architecture.
- Potential for developing novel sensors based on surface charge-induced switching of diode currents.
