Enhancement of electrical conductivity of biopolymer by sulfur nanoparticle dispersion technique

Abstract

AbstractPresent work reports the investigation of the effect of different percentages of nanosized elemental sulfur particle grown in a biopolymer matrix. Sulfur is known for treatment against bacterial infections as an antimicrobial agent from ages as elemental sulfur and sulfur‐rich compounds interact with biological systems. In‐situ growth of sulfur nanoparticles is processed by the passage of environment friendly hydrogen sulfide gas in hydrated solution of gum acacia biopolymer. Gum acacia is ion conducting, plant derived natural polymer. In this work, structural and morphological studies are examined by x‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It is found that with increasing concentration of sulfur nanoparticles the spheroidal shaped nanostructures grow in size and approaches the micron realm. Electrical characterization of the nanostructure synthesized biopolymer is observed by varying frequency over a broad‐spectrum range. Direct current electrical conductivity is found to be enhanced by 40 times higher over pure specimen.