HYDROGEN-ION TRANSPORT STUDIES IN PEO - NH4HSO4 POLYMER ELECTROLYTE

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) complexed with ammonium hydrogen sulphate (NH4HSO4) is studied using various techniques, optical microscopy, XRD, IR, DTA, polarization, and coulometry for transference number, transient ionic current (TIC) for mobility, and complex impedance spectroscopy for electrical conductivity at different temperatures and humidity values. It is shown that the material is predominantly a H+ conductor with a small anionic contribution. The numbers of mobile cations and anions (n(H)+ and n(HSO4-)) are also calculated for different dopant salt concentrations. The results are consistent with the ion-association/multiplet formation model for explaining conductivity results.