Polysulfone/Chitosan membranes with inorganic nanoparticles

Abstract

Photovoltaic solar energy has been widely used as an alternative energy source. Composite materials combine the properties of organic polymers, including flexibility and easier processing, with those of inorganic compounds, such as thermal and chemical stability. These characteristics are advantageous to produce materials for organic solar cells. This work aimed to synthesize by casting method and characterize the structure, morphology, chemical, and thermal properties of composite membranes of polysulfone and chitosan (PSF/CS) incorporated with different masses of nickel-zinc ferrite nanoparticles (NZFN) and magnetite nanoparticles (MN). PSF/CS composite membranes incorporated with inorganic nanoparticles were uniform and transparent, evidencing a good dispersion of the nanoparticles and the homogeneity of the synthesized material. The addition of inorganic nanoparticles increases the stability and efficiency of organic substrates making them suitable for different applications in renewable energy systems, such as organic photovoltaic solar cells.