PROTON CONDUCTING POLYMER ELECTROLYTES - POLYETHYLENE OXIDE + (NH4)2SO4 SYSTEM

A new proton-conducting polymer electrolyte polyethylene oxide (PEO) + (NH4)2SO4 has been reported. The proton transport in solution-cast films of PEO complexed with (NH4)2SO4 has been established using optical microscopy, XRD, DTA, IR, coulometry, transient ionic current and electrical conductivity studies. The highest electrical conductivity has been found to be 9.3 x 10(-7) S.cm-1 for the NH4+/EO ratio equal to 0.0416. The transference number and mobility of protonic movement have been found to be t(H+) congruent-to 0.61 and mu(H+) congruent-to 2.9 x 10(-7) cm2/volt-sec, respectively. The movement of anions (possibly HSO4-) also contribute to the overall conductivity.