A terahertz spectroscopic study of chitosan-based bionanocomposites containing clay nanoparticles

Abstract

Dielectric properties of bionanocomposites resulting from regulated self-organization of chitosan and nanoparticles of synthetic saponite clay have been investigated by terahertz pulsed spectroscopy. Spectral characteristics of the composites considered in correlation with their structural features, which have been characterized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, depend on the concentration ratio of the components. The study of the effect of temperature on terahertz absorption spectra has led to the conclusion that hydrogen bonding may be involved in the formation of the bionanocomposites.