Iodine‐Doped Polyaniline Reinforced Microcrystalline Cellulose/Polyvinyl Alcohol Hybrid Films for Flexible and Sustainable Memcapacitive Behavior

Abstract

ABSTRACT Multifunctional materials that combine mechanical strength, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity are needed to develop a sustainable and flexible platform for next‐generation resistive switching devices. In this study, multifunctional hybrid films were fabricated by incorporating iodine‐doped polyaniline (I 2 @PANI) into a microcrystalline cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol (MCC/PVA) matrix. I 2 @PANI was first synthesized via oxidative polymerization using KI/I 2 and potassium persulfate. The structural, morphological, and physicochemical properties of the composites were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDX, TGA, and mechanical analysis. The SEM/EDX demonstrated homogeneous dispersion of I 2 @PANI in the MCC/PVA matrix. Mechanical investigation revealed a considerable increase in Young's modulus (0.72 to 14.4 GPa) and tensile strength (79.1 to 111.9 MPa) with I 2 @PANI loading, while flexibility was lost at higher concentrations. The thermal analysis indicated that I 2 @PANI enhanced thermal stability with increasing char yield. The hydrogen‐bonding network in the MCC/PVA matrix provides structural stability and charge‐trapping capabilities. By incorporating iodine‐doped polyaniline (I 2 @PANI), the material gains high electrical conductivity and tunable redox activity. Strong interfacial interactions between the conductive PANI and the MCC/PVA matrix ensure that the filler is well‐dispersed and that the composite is mechanically and electrically stable. This synergistic combination creates a hybrid material with enhanced performance for use in non‐volatile memory, neuromorphic computing, and eco‐friendly electronics.