Polymer batteries fabricated from lithium complexed acetylated chitosan

It is found that 0.8 g lithium nitrate added to a solution of 1 g chitosan dissolved in 100 mi 1% acetic acid produces a film, via the solution cast technique, with a maximum electrical conductivity of the order of 10(-4) S cm(-1). This film is amorphous. For battery fabrication, metal powder and hydrogen storage material are used for the anode, and a metallic oxide (MnO2) for the cathode material. The anode contains a mixture of zinc and zinc sulfate in the ratio of 3:1. Batteries with configurations Zn + ZnSO4 . 7H(2)O/LiCAC/I-2 + C and Zn + ZnSO4 . 7H(2)O/LiCAC/MnO2 + C (LiCAC = lithium complexed acetylated chitosan) provide open-circuit voltages of 1.113 and 0.765 V, respectively. The discharge characteristics of the batteries are presented. Unfortunately, only short lifetimes and small discharge currents can be obtained. This is possibly due to incompatibility between the electrode materials and the electrolytes.