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.