Plasticized Chitosan Research Articles

Structure and properties of chitosan plasticized with hydrophobic short-chain fatty acid cosolvent.

The application of chitosan in packaging has always been limited due to its brittle and hygroscopic nature. In this study, hydrophobic short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were utilized to modify chitosan to overcome this issue. For the first time, hydrophobic SCFAs, typically hexanoic acid and its homologs, were found to be able to dissolve chitosan in water as well as its hydrophilic analog. After water was removed through evaporation, hydrophobic SCFA-modified chitosan films were obtained. The results of mechanical testing and DSC analysis confirmed that these hydrophobic SCFAs could effectively plasticize the chitosan film. Moreover, water contact angle measurements revealed that the hydrophilicity of these plasticized chitosan films was significantly reduced. The findings from the moisture uptake experiments indicated that linear hydrophobic SCFAs reduced the hygroscopicity of the chitosan film. Additionally, the crystal structures, thermal and gas barrier properties, and antibacterial activities of these hydrophobic SCFA-modified films were systematically examined and compared with those of hydrophilic SCFA-modified chitosan. This study presents an innovative and practical method for modifying chitosan films by regulating the structure of the cosolvent, thereby facilitating the real-world application of chitosan-based food packaging materials.

Chitosan as a suitable host for sustainable plasticized nanocomposite sodium ion conducting polymer electrolyte in EDLC applications: Structural, ion transport and electrochemical studies

The challenge in front of EDLC device is their low energy density compared to their battery counter parts. In the current study, a green plasticized nanocomposite sodium ion conducting polymer blend electrolytes (PNSPBE) was developed by incorporating plasticized Chitosan (CS) blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), doped with NaBr salt with various concentration of CaTiO3 nanoparticles. The most optimized PNSPBE film was subsequently utilized in an EDLC device to evaluate its effectiveness both as an electrolyte and a separator. Structural and morphological changes were assessed using XRD and SEM techniques. The PNSPBE film demonstrated a peak ionic conductivity of 9.76×10−5 S/cm, as determined through EIS analysis. The dielectric and AC studies provided further confirmation of structural modifications within the sample. Both TNM and LSV analyses affirmed the suitability of the prepared electrolyte for energy device applications, evidenced by its adequate ion transference number and an electrochemical potential window of 2.86 V. Electrochemical properties were assessed via CV and GCD techniques, confirming non-Faradaic ion storage, indicated by the rectangular CV pattern at low scan rates. The parameters associated with the designed EDLC device including specific capacitance, ESR, power density (1950 W/kg) and energy density (12.3 Wh/kg) were determined over 1000 cycles.

Electrochemical properties of a novel EDLC derived from plasticized biopolymer based electrolytes with valuable energy density close to NiMH batteries

This study introduces a novel system of solid electrolytes for electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) utilizing biopolymer electrolytes with high energy density comparable to NiMH batteries. To prepare the electrolytes, a proton-conducting plasticized chitosan: poly(2-oxazoline) (POZ) with good film-forming properties was fabricated using a solution casting technique, and ammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate (NH4CF3SO3) salt was employed as a proton provider. Various glycerol concentrations were incorporated into the chitosan:POZ: NH4CF3SO3 system to enhance the ionic conductivity and fully transparent films were obtained. The impedance technique was utilized to determine the conductivity and measure the diffusion coefficient, mobility, and number density of ions. The electrochemical measurements, including linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), validated the high performance of the system. The EDLC was examined using galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) equipment, and the results revealed an energy density of 43 Wh/kg, specific capacitance of 300 F/g, and power density of 1800 W/kg over 500 cycles. These findings suggest that it is plausible to develop EDLCs that resemble batteries, making them a more desirable energy storage option for the industry.

Preparation and plasticizing mechanism of deep eutectic solvent/lignin plasticized chitosan films

Chitosan (CS) is a natural biopolymer from crab shells known for its biocompatibility and biodegradability; however, CS films are extremely rigid, limiting their applications. In this study, CS composite films were prepared based on the selective dissolution of lignin by deep eutectic solvents (DES), and the toughening effect of this DES/lignin on a CS film substrate was examined, along with its corresponding mechanism. The addition of DES/lignin effectively increased the plasticity of the CS film, giving a maximum elongation at break of 62.6 % for the plasticized film, which is 12.5 times that of the CS film. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses showed that molecules in the DES/lignin complex interacted with CS to break the hydrogen bonds between the CS molecules; simultaneously, each molecule recombined with the CS molecules via hydrogen bonding. Thus, the rigidity of the CS molecular chain was weakened to achieve a plasticized CS film, thereby demonstrating the ability of DES/regenerated lignin to improve the toughness of CS films, which provides a reference for modifying plasticity and could lead to the broader utilization of CS films.

Assessment of chitosan/pectin-rich vegetable waste composites for the active packaging of dry foods

In line with the growing demand for green alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived plastic packaging, fully bio-based and biodegradable biocomposites were developed for this work, for the purpose of packaging dry foods, following the principles of circular economy. Solutions of plasticized chitosan (pCS) were blended with varying amounts of hydrolyzed orange peel (hOP) waste to produce films by casting. The hydrolytic pretreatment of orange peels enabled the creation of biocomposites containing up to 80 wt% hOP, while the formulation with 70 wt% hOP had the best general performance. Chemical characterization of the developed films revealed that chitosan molecules interact electrostatically with pectin molecules in hOP. The strong interaction between chitosan and pectin molecules results in improved mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of the composite materials compared to their individual components. In addition, the biocomposites exhibit improved water resistance due to their reduced water solubility compared to chitosan and hOP films. The migration of the films’ components in the food simulant Tenax was evaluated, and the results revealed low values, compliant with the current EU regulation. However, due to the electrostatic interactions, the films lost the antimicrobial activity of the individual components, chitosan and hOP, against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, a property that could turn the developed films into active packaging. Finally, the optical and antioxidant properties and the biodegradability in soil of the developed films were also assayed, showing high transparency, antioxidant capacity, and fast biodegradability, reaching 62.9% weight loss after 26 days of the experiment.

The effect of different molecular weight chitosan on the physical and mechanical properties of plasticized films

Packaging materials based on biodegradable polymers are a viable alternative to replacing conventional plastic packaging of fossil origin. The main two factors affecting functionality and performance are the molecular weight and the type of plasticizer used in these materials. The goal of this research was to modify unfractionated plasticized chitosan films to improve the physical and mechanical characteristics of the original unfractionated chitosan films. Chitosan extracted from local shrimp shells was zone-refined to produce five distinct chitosan fractions with molecular weights ranging from 1.089×105 to 5.605×105 g/mole. The unfractionated and fractionated chitosan films plasticized with 1:3 poly(vinyl alcohol) and 2:1 maleic acid were prepared by casting from their 2% acetic acid solutions. They were examined by FT-IR and were found to be comparable to the native chitosan spectrum, indicating that the primary backbone of the chitosan structure was unaltered. Therefore, the effects of molecular weight fractions and the type of plasticizer on the physical and mechanical properties were investigated. Examining the films’ surface topography by atomic force microscopy revealed that increasing the molecular weight of chitosan fractions from 2.702×105 to 5.605×105 g/mole affects the surface morphology of the chitosan: poly(vinyl alcohol) (1:3) film. This was accompanied by an increase in the surface roughness of the resulting film from 0.953 to 2.82, and for chitosan: maleic acid from 0.509 to 1.62. It was found that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the cast films decreased and the percent elongation at break of the plasticized fractionated chitosan films was increased, implying that less stiff films were obtained with fractionated chitosan. The outcome of this work suggests that the biodegradable fractionated chitosan blend film is a promising packaging material and that poly(vinyl alcohol) is the most suitable plasticizer for this formulation.

Physicochemical Properties and Cell Viability of Shrimp Chitosan Films as Affected by Film Casting Solvents. I-Potential Use as Wound Dressing.

Chitosan solubility in aqueous organic acids has been widely investigated. However, most of the previous works have been done with plasticized chitosan films and using acetic acid as the film casting solvent. In addition, the properties of these films varied among studies, since they are influenced by different factors such as the chitin source used to produce chitosan, the processing variables involved in the conversion of chitin into chitosan, chitosan properties, types of acids used to dissolve chitosan, types and amounts of plasticizers and the film preparation method. Therefore, this work aimed to prepare chitosan films by the solvent casting method, using chitosan derived from Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp shell waste, and five different organic acids (acetic, lactic, maleic, tartaric, and citric acids) without plasticizer, in order to evaluate the effect of organic acid type and chitosan source on physicochemical properties, degradation and cytotoxicity of these chitosan films. The goal was to select the best suited casting solvent to develop wound dressing from shrimp chitosan films. Shrimp chitosan films were analyzed in terms of their qualitative assessment, thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), wettability, tensile properties, degradation in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and cytotoxicity towards human fibroblasts using the resazurin reduction method. Regardless of the acid type employed in film preparation, all films were transparent and slightly yellowish, presented homogeneous surfaces, and the thickness was compatible with the epidermis thickness. However, only the ones prepared with maleic acid presented adequate characteristics of WVP, WVTR, wettability, degradability, cytotoxicity and good tensile properties for future application as a wound dressing material. The findings of this study contributed not only to select the best suited casting solvent to develop chitosan films for wound dressing but also to normalize a solubilization protocol for chitosan, derived from Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp shell waste, which can be used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Plasticized Chitosan / aloe biofilms for cell regeneration

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of plasticizing agents; Glycerin and PVA, as well as the incorporation of aloe extract on the regeneration and / or cellular recovery capacity of plasticized chitosan. The preparation of the biofilms consisted of mixing, low molecular weight chitosan (0.5, 1 and 1.25%), polyvinyl alcohol (1 and 1.5%) and glycerin (3.5, 5 and 7%). Aloe extract was incorporated in 1% together with glycerin. The drying of the films was carried out in an incubator at 28 ° C for 24 hours, using the method of slow evaporation or casting. Stress tests to determine their mechanical properties, DSC compatibility, water vapor permeability tests and through a cytotoxic activity test of biofilms using human gingival fibroblasts (HGF), the viability of the use of these biofilms in regeneration was determined mobile. A combination of chitosan / PVA / glycerin was found that exhibits good elastic properties. The DSC showed that there is a good incorporation of the components. The permeability is acceptable for the application and the cell viability tests indicate an increase thereof due to the presence of the aloe extract, as well as the plasticizers with respect to the chitosan without plasticizers.

Effect of chitosan incorporation on crystallinity, mechanical and rheological properties, and photodegradability of PE/TPS blends

Chitosan is a well-known biodegradable biopolymer, which possesses antimicrobial properties. In this study, the effect of chitosan incorporation on the morphology; thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties; and antibacterial and photodegradation behaviors of polyethylene (PE)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends were examined. PE/TPS blends were compatibilized with low-density PE-grafted maleic anhydride copolymer (PE- g-MA) compatibilizer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile test indicated that the addition of chitosan in powder form has a devastating effect on both mechanical and morphological properties of the blends. Therefore, chitosan was plasticized with acetic acid and glycerol (2 wt% chitosan dissolved in acetic acid/glycerol solution) prior to addition to the blends, which considerably improved the mechanical properties of the blends. Dynamic rheological experiments revealed a decrease in the complex viscosity of the blends with the addition of plasticized chitosan compared with unplasticized chitosan. SEM micrographs demonstrated more homogenous microstructure for the blends containing plasticized chitosan and PE- g-MA compatibilizer. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that unplasticized chitosan acts as a nucleation agent for PE crystallization. Antibacterial analysis indicated that the incorporation of chitosan had a significant effect on preventing from bacterial population growth. The major part of this article was to study the effect of ultraviolet (UV) exposure on the chemical structure and mechanical properties of the blends, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and tensile properties examination. The results indicated that the slight amount of chitosan may significantly improve the photostability of PE/TPS blends against UV degradation. However, PE- g-MA compatibilizer dramatically decreased the UV resistance of the blends.

Surface functionalization of plasticized chitosan films through PNIPAM grafting via UV and plasma graft polymerization

Chitosan films were formulated and subsequently given thermosensitive properties by modifying the surfaces. The first step involved the incorporation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) plasticizers at various ratios into the chitosan blends. Tensile tests showed that the molecular weight of the PEG impacted the mechanical properties, while the plasticizing effect was optimal for a PEG content of 20%. The addition of glycerol, in combination with PEG, increased the elongation at break without altering the tensile strength. In order to add thermosensitive properties to the chitosan films, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) was graft polymerized on the surface via two methods: UV irradiation or plasma treatment. The surface modification was evaluated in terms of surface characteristics (XPS, SEM, contact angle) and bulk swelling abilities, with a specific focus on the thermosensitive nature due to the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition of the PNIPAM. The two grafting methods implied differences in terms of thermal responsiveness. Indeed, due to the presence of particles on their surfaces, UV grafted samples exhibited higher hydrophilicity and thermosensitivity, whereas their lower content of PNIPAM involved lower swelling thermal dependence. All of these results support the interest in PNIPAM grafted chitosan surfaces for the development of smart biomaterials.

Preparation of Nanocellulose Reinforced Chitosan Films, Cross-Linked by Adipic Acid.

Adipic acid, an abundant and nontoxic compound, was used to dissolve and cross-link chitosan. After the preparation of chitosan films through casting technique, the in situ amidation reaction was performed at 80–100 °C as verified by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The reaction was accompanied by the release of water which was employed to investigate the reaction kinetics. Accordingly, the reaction rate followed the first-order model and Arrhenius equation, and the activation energy was calculated to be 18 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the chitosan films were comprehensively studied. First, optimal curing conditions (84 °C, 93 min) were introduced through a central composite design. In order to evaluate the effects of adipic acid, the mechanical properties of physically cross-linked (uncured), chemically cross-linked (cured), and uncross-linked (prepared by acetic acid) films were compared. The use of adipic acid improved the tensile strength of uncured and chemically cross-linked films more than 60% and 113%, respectively. Finally, the effect of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) on the mechanical performance of cured films, in the presence of glycerol as a plasticizer, was investigated. The plasticized chitosan films reinforced by 5 wt % CNFs showed superior properties as a promising material for the development of chitosan-based biomaterials.

Chitosan molecular weight effect on starch-composite film properties

The aim of this work was to prepare and characterize composite films based on chitosan (CH) and corn starch (CS), analyzing the influence of the chitosan molecular weight (MW) on film structure and functional properties. Three chitosan products were characterized and classified as low (LMW), medium (MMW) and high (HMW) according to its MW. Rheological behavior of filmogenic solutions depend on CH-MW from Newtonian to pseudoplastic one. Chitosan based film physicochemical properties were strongly affected by its molecular weight: the lower the MW the higher the color differences and film solubility. SEM observations demonstrated that plasticized chitosan films exhibited homogeneous structures, the higher the MW the more compact is the structure and the lower is the water vapor permeability (WVP, 4.55 ± 0.6 × 10−11 g/m s Pa.). Likewise, CH and CS were compatible polymers which led to the development of homogeneous blend films. Polymer interactions were evidenced in FTIR spectra by the shifts observed within the region of 1500–1700 cm−1, which reduce the hydrophilic groups’ availability of chitosan matrices, leading to a reduction in WVP of composite films. Mechanical properties of the developed films were performed through different complementary tests. Chitosan MW affects both the type and number of interactions, which determine the matrix structure and characteristics. In HMW-CH matrix polymer–polymer interactions are favored, leading to strong and resistant matrices with high dynamic elastic modulus values. Meanwhile, in LMW-CH one, polymer-plasticizer and polymer–solvent interactions became important and the development of high extensible and soluble materials is privileged.

Mucoadhesive Films Containing Chitosan‐Coated Nanoparticles: A New Strategy for Buccal Curcumin Release

Mucoadhesive films containing curcumin-loaded nanoparticles were developed, aiming to prolong the residence time of the dosage form in the oral cavity and to increase drug absorption through the buccal mucosa. Films were prepared by the casting method after incorporation of curcumin-loaded chitosan-coated polycaprolactone nanoparticles into plasticized chitosan solutions. Different molar masses of mucoadhesive polysaccharide chitosan and concentrations of plasticizer glycerol were used to optimize the preparation conditions. Films obtained using medium and high molar mass chitosan were found to be homogeneous and flexible. Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the film surface, as evidenced by atomic force microscopy and high-resolution field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) images. Analyses of film cross sections using FEG-SEM demonstrate the presence of nanoparticles inside the films. In addition, films proved to have a good rate of hydration in simulated saliva solution, displaying a maximum swelling of around 80% and in vitro prolonged-controlled delivery of curcumin. These results indicate that the mucoadhesive films containing nanoparticles offer a promising approach for buccal delivery of curcumin, which may be particularly useful in the treatment of periodontal diseases that require a sustained drug delivery.

Plasticized chitosan/polyolefin films produced by extrusion

Plasticized chitosan and polyethylene blends were produced through a single-pass extrusion process. Using a twin-screw extruder, chitosan plasticization was achieved in the presence of an acetic acid solution and glycerol, and directly mixed with metallocene polyethylene, mPE, to produce a masterbatch. Different dilutions of the masterbatch (2, 5 and 10wt% of plasticized chitosan), in the presence of ethylene vinyl acetate, EVA, were subsequently achieved in single screw film extrusion. Very small plasticized chitosan domains (number average diameter <5μm) were visible in the polymeric matrix. The resulting films presented a brown color and increasing haze with chitosan plasticized content. Mechanical properties of the mPE films were affected by the presence of plasticized chitosan, but improvement was observed as a result of some compatibility between mPE and chitosan in the presence of EVA. Finally the incorporation of plasticized chitosan affected mPE water vapor permeability while oxygen permeability remained constant.

Development of thermoplastic starch blown film by incorporating plasticized chitosan

The objective of the present work was to improve blown film extrusion processability and properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS) film by incorporating plasticized chitosan, with a content of 0.37–1.45%. The effects of chitosan on extrusion processability and melt flow ability of TPS, as well as that on appearance, optical properties, thermal properties, viscoelastic properties and tensile properties of the films were investigated. The possible interactions between chitosan and starch molecules were evaluated by FTIR and XRD techniques. Chitosan and starch molecules could interact via hydrogen bonds, as confirmed from the blue shift of OH bands and the reduction of V-type crystal formation. Although the incorporation of chitosan caused decreased extensibility and melt flow ability, as well as increased yellowness and opacity, the films possessed better extrusion processability, increased tensile strength, rigidity, thermal stability and UV absorption, as well as reduced water absorption and surface stickiness. The obtained TPS/chitosan-based films offer real potential application in the food industry, e.g. as edible films.

Hierarchical Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Plasticized Chitosan

Plasticized chitosan with hierarchical structure, including multiple length scale structural units, was prepared by a "melt"-based method, that is, thermomechanical mixing, as opposed to the usual casting-evaporation procedure. Chitosan was successfully plasticized by thermomechanical mixing in the presence of concentrated lactic acid and glycerol using a batch mixer. Different plasticization formulations were compared in this study, in which concentrated lactic acid was used as protonation agent as well as plasticizer. The microstructure of thermomechanically plasticized chitosan was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. With increasing amount of additional plasticizers (glycerol or water), the crystallinity of the plasticized chitosan decreased from 63.7% for the original chitosan powder to almost zero for the sample plasticized with additional water. Salt linkage between lactic acid molecules and amino side chains of chitosan was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy: the lactic acid molecules expanded the space between the chitosan molecules of the crystalline phase. In the presence of other plasticizers (glycerol and water), various levels of structural units including an amorphous phase, nanofibrils, nanofibril clusters, and microfibers were produced under mechanical shear and thermal energy and identified for the first time. The thermal and thermomechanical properties of the plasticized chitosan were measured by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric, and DMA. These properties were correlated with the different levels of microstructure, including multiple structural units.

Polyelectrolyte films based on chitosan/olive oil and reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals

Composite films designed as potentially edible food packaging were prepared by casting film-forming emulsions based on chitosan/glycerol/olive oil containing dispersed cellulose nanocrystals (CNs). The combined use of cellulose nanoparticles and olive oil proved to be an efficient method to reduce the inherently high water vapor permeability of plasticized chitosan films, improving at the same time their tensile behavior. At the same time, it was found that the water solubility slightly decreased as the cellulose content increased, and further decreased with oil addition. Unexpectedly, opacity decreased as cellulose content increased, which balanced the reduced transparency due to lipid addition. Contact angle decreased with CN addition, but increased when olive oil was incorporated. Results from dynamic mechanical tests revealed that all films present two main relaxations that could be ascribed to the glycerol- and chitosan-rich phases, respectively. The response of plasticized chitosan–nanocellulose films (without lipid addition) was also investigated, in order to facilitate the understanding of the effect of both additives.

Antimicrobial and Physical Properties of Chitosan Film as Affected by Solvent Types and Glycerol as Plasticizer

This study aims to evaluate the influence of solvent acids and glycerol as plasticizer on the antimicrobial and physical properties of chitosan films. Three types of acids were used in the same concentration, e.g. 1% acetic acid, 1% citric acid and 1% lactic acid whereas glycerol was fixed on 10% (w/w). In terms of barrier properties, chitosan film obtained by citric acid as solvent showed the lowest water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) followed by chitosan film prepared with lactic acid and acetic acid. Concerning mechanical properties, chitosan film prepared with acetic acid exhibited the highest tensile strength and the lowest percentage elongation. The expected result was obtained where plasticized chitosan films had higher percentage elongation than the unplasticized one. In this study, disc and well diffusion method were used against bacteria, yeast and fungi to characterize antimicrobial activity of the obtained films. When the disc diffusion method was used, all of chitosan films showed an inhibition activity against E. coli, B. cereus and S. aureus whereas no inhibition against Penicillium sp. and Candida sp except chitosan film prepared with acetic acid that showed inhibition against Candida sp. The same result was observed by using well diffusion method with the exception of chitosan solutions prepared with acetic acid solution where they also showed inhibition activity against Penicillium sp. and Candida sp.

Innovative thermoplastic chitosan obtained by thermo-mechanical mixing with polyol plasticizers

Chitosan shows a degradation temperature lower than its melting point, which prevents its development in several applications. One way to overcome this issue is the plasticization of the carbohydrate. In this work plasticized chitosan was prepared by a thermo-mechanical kneading approach. The effects of different non-volatile polyol plasticizers (glycerol, xylitol and sorbitol) were investigated. The microstructure and morphology were determined using FTIR, XRD, TEM and SEM in order to understand the plasticization mechanism. Sorbitol, which is the highest molecular weight polyol used, resulted in plasticized chitosan with the highest thermal, mechanical and rheological properties. On the other hand, the sample plasticized with glycerol, the lowest molecular weight polyol, had the most important amorphous phase content and the lowest thermal, mechanical and rheological properties. Also, when the polyol content increased in the formulation, the plasticized chitosan was more amorphous and consequently its processability easier, while its properties decreased.

Lithium perchlorate doped plasticized chitosan and starch blend as biodegradable polymer electrolyte for supercapacitors

Biodegradable polymer electrolyte comprising the blend of chitosan (CS) and starch, plasticized with glycerol, as host polymer and lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) as a dopant is prepared by solution casting technique. The variation of conductivity has been investigated as a function of polymer blend ratio, plasticizer content, and LiClO4 concentration at temperature range of 298–343K using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The maximum conductivity is found to be 3.7×10−4Scm−1 at room temperature for 60:40 (CS/starch) concentration. The dielectric properties of the electrolyte film exhibit a long tail feature indicating good capacitance. The activation energy of all samples is evaluated using the Arrhenius plot and it is found to be 0.52–0.75eV. The DSC thermogram peaks for CS-starch blends decreases with increase in the LiClO4 content. A carbon–carbon supercapacitor is fabricated using suitable blend electrolyte ratio and its electrochemical characteristics are discussed at various temperatures and current density. This supercapacitor shows a fairly good specific capacitance of 133Fg−1.