Abstract
In order to investigate a key factor for the appearance of proton conductivity in chitin-chitosan mixed compounds, the chitin-chitosan mixed compounds (chitin)x(chitosan)1-x were prepared and these proton conductivities have been investigated. DC proton conductivity σ is obtained from Nyquist plot of impedance measurement data, and the relationship between σ and mixing ratio x has been made clear. It was found that the x dependence of σ is non-monotonous. That is, σ shows the anomalous behavior, and has peaks around x = 0.4 and 0.75. This result indicates that there exist optimal conditions for the realization of high-proton conductivity in the chitin-chitosan mixed compound in which the number of acetyl groups is different. From the FT-IR measurement, we have found that the behavior of proton conductivity in (chitin)x(chitosan)1-x is determined by the amount of water content changed by x. Using these results, proton conductivity, which is important for the application of conducting polymers in chitin-chitosan mixed compounds, will be able to be easily controlled by adjusting the mixing ratio x.
Highlights
Biomaterials have been attracting attention as clean next-generation materials [1] [2] [3]
From the FT-IR measurement, we have found that the behavior of proton conductivity inx(chitosan)1−x is determined by the amount of water content changed by x
In order to clarify the main factor determining proton conductivity inx(chitosan)1−x, we have investigated the cause of anomalous behavior of proton conductivity observed in the chitin-chitosan mixed compounds, which is significantly important for fabricating chitin based fuel cell or other electrical devices
Summary
Biomaterials have been attracting attention as clean next-generation materials [1] [2] [3]. In recent years, fuel cells have attracted attention as a next-generation energy. We have fabricated the fuel cell using the electrolyte of chitin or chitosan which is known as the deacetylated chitin. It is evident that these current-cell voltage characteristics show typical characteristics of the fuel cell These results indicate that the chitin and chitosan become the electrolyte of fuel cells. The prepared fuel cell used platinum electrodes and a 70 μm thick chitin or chitosan sheet as the electrolyte. The power density of the fuel cell using chitin electrolyte is considerably larger than that using chitosan electrolyte These results indicate that proton conductivity of chitin is different from
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