Morphological Study and Characterization of Chitosan/Graphene Quantum Dots/TiO2 Composite Film as a Modified Electrode Material

This study investigates the morphological and structural characteristics of chitosan/graphene quantum dots/titanium dioxide (CS/GQDs/TiO₂) composite films with TiO₂ concentrations of 50–250 mg/L as coating materials for modified working electrodes. The films were prepared using ionic gelation and stirring methods. Characterization was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis confirmed hydrogen bonding and coordination interactions among chitosan, GQDs, and TiO₂ through the shift of –OH/–NH₂ bands and the appearance of Ti–O–Ti and C–O–Ti bands. XRD analysis showed an increase in crystallinity from 20.82% to 41.35%, indicating improved structural ordering after TiO₂ incorporation. SEM observations revealed morphological transformation from the rough surface of pure chitosan to a more compact and homogeneous structure at moderate TiO₂ concentrations, while agglomeration appeared at higher concentrations. These results demonstrate that the incorporation of GQDs and TiO₂ enhances the structural stability and morphology of the chitosan matrix, making the composite promising for electrochemical electrode coating applications.