A novel water-free proton-conducting solid electrolyte based on an organic/inorganic hybrid

Abstract

A new water-free proton-conducting solid electrolyte based on organic/inorganic hybrids was investigated. It was observed that a high proton conductivity of 10-4Scm-1 at 160°C was obtained for the proton conducting imidazole-terminated side chains (CImSS)/ methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS)-based silicate hybrid in the absence of water. The proton conductivity and the activation volume of the CImSS/silicate hybrid was explained by considering the morphological difference and the specific interactions between the constituents. It was found that the interactions between the CImSS and the silicate weakened with the increase in MTEOS content.