Electrodeposition of composite zinc oxide-chitosan films

Two methods have been developed for the electrodeposition of nanocomposite zinc oxide-chitosan (CH) films. Method 1 was based on the electrosynthesis of zinc oxide from zinc acetate solutions and electrophoretic deposition of CH. In method 2, nanocomposite films were prepared by electrophoretic co-deposition of zinc oxide and CH. Method 1 enabled room temperature electrosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles in situ in a CH matrix. In this approach the formation of other inorganic phases was avoided. The size of zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared by method 1 can be varied. The deposition yield was investigated at various deposition conditions. The films were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. The results indicated that film thickness and composition can be varied. The formation of composite zinc oxide-CH films resulted in surface chelation. The deposition kinetics and mechanisms are discussed.