Chitosan-based polyelectrolyte complex in combination with allotropic forms of carbon as a basis of thin-film organic electronics

Abstract

Using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the morphology and mobility of charge carriers in composite films with a thickness of no more than 500 nm obtained on the basis of a polyelectrolyte complex of chitosan and chitosan succinamide with addition of particles of carbon materials were studied and estimated.  The following carbon materials were used: single-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, and carbon-containing sorbents with different specific surfaces (Carboblack C and Carbopack). Moreover, the studied materials in the form of films were used as a transport layer in the structure of field-effect transistors. The output and transfer characteristics of the transistors obtained were measured. According to the measurement results, the mobility of charge carriers, µ, ranges from 0.341 to 1.123 cm² V^–1·s^–1, depending on the type of carbon material added. The best result was demonstrated by films based on a composite containing simultaneously single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide (μ = 10.972 cm² V^–1·s^–1).