Preparation and characterization of conductive chitosan–ionic liquid composite membranes

Anhydrous conductive membranes composing of a composite of chitosan (CS) and ionic liquids with symmetrical carboxyl groups were explored. Scanning electron microscope images revealed that porous composite membranes could be obtained by combining CS with different amounts of 1,4‐bis(3‐carboxymethyl‐imidazolium)‐1‐yl butane chloride ([CBIm]Cl). Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed that the formation of ammonium salts after CS was combined with [CBIm]Cl. The thermal property of CS–ionic liquid composite membranes was studied through thermogravimetric analysis. The anhydrous ionic conductivities of CS–[CBIm]X (X = Cl, Ac, BF₄, and I) composite membranes were measured using ac impedance spectroscopy at room temperature in N₂ atmosphere. The conductivities (0.4–0.7 × 10^?4 Scm^?1), found to be in the same range as semiconductors, were significantly higher than those of pure CS membrane (<10^?8 Scm^?1). In addition, the anhydrous conductivity of composite membrane based on CS–[CBIm]I at room temperature reached a level as high as 0.91 × 10^?2 Scm^?1 when iodine was doped. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.