article · Scientific Reports
Researchers have fabricated an eco-friendly biopolymer composite combining polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan, and the ionic liquid triethylammonium tosylate ([TEA-TOS]) using a casting technique. The material is developed as a light-absorbing candidate for optoelectronic and energy storage applications. Structural characterisation via X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy confirmed strong intermolecular interactions between the polymer matrix and the ionic liquid, accompanied by a drop in crystallinity from 55.65 percent down to 29.82 percent at 40 weight percent of the ionic liquid. Optical assessments revealed that increasing the ionic liquid content narrowed the optical bandgap from 5.62/5.01 eV to 5.00/4.68 eV. Analyses using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and the Wemple model showed that modifying the ionic liquid concentration effectively tailors the electronic transitions and linear and nonlinear optical parameters of the resulting composite films.
Modern optoelectronics and energy storage devices require versatile, efficient components made from sustainable sources. By combining naturally derived chitosan and biodegradable PVA with an ionic liquid, this research demonstrates an eco-friendly material whose optical properties can be adjusted systematically. This offers a greener alternative to conventional synthetic materials used in optical devices.
The composite could potentially serve manufacturers developing optoelectronic components and energy storage systems seeking sustainable or bio-based light-absorbing materials. Given that the work focuses on laboratory-scale fabrication via casting, structural characterisation, and optical parameter measurement, the technology is at an early research stage and requires further device integration and operational testing before commercial use.
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The need for efficient and reliable multifunctional optical and optoelectronic devices is driving the development of new materials. In this work, a novel eco-friendly biopolymer composite based on PVA, chitosan, and the ionic liquid [TEA-TOS] is developed as an efficient light-absorbing material for energy storage and optoelectronic applications. PVA/chitosan/[TEA-TOS] composites are successfully prepared using casting technique. The molecular structure and interaction between the PVA/Cs matrix and the [TEA-TOS] ionic liquid are evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR spectroscopy. XRD analysis showed that crystallinity is reduced from 55.65% for PVA/Cs blend to 29.82% for PVA/Cs/40 wt% TEA-TOS composite. The shifts and changes in the intensity of the FTIR bands of the PVA/Cs blend upon incorporation of [TEA-TOS] showed the formation of strong intermolecular interactions between PVA/Cs and [TEA-TOS]. The energy gap and Urbach energy values, as well as linear/nonlinear optical parameters of the composites are estimated. It is found that the bandgap reduced from 5.62/5.01 eV for pure PVA/Cs to 5.00/4.68 eV for PVA/Cs/40 wt% [TEA-TOS], indicating improved optoelectronic performance. UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated confirmed that the optical properties of the samples could be tailored by adjusting the [TEA-TOS] content. The Wemple model further confirmed the modification of electronic transitions, demonstrating that the incorporation of [TEA-TOS] effectively tunes the optical behavior of PVA/Cs films for potential optoelectronic applications.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-64510-y
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