Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolytes: Polyethylene Oxide+(NH4)2SO4System

Abstract
A new proton-conducting polymer electrolyte polyethylene oxide (PEO)+(NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 has been reported. The proton transport in solution-cast films of PEO complexed with (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 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× 10 -7 S · cm -1 for the NH 4 + /EO ratio equal to 0.0416. The transference number and mobility of protonic movement have been found to be t H + ≃0.61 and µ H + ≃2.9×10 -7 cm 2 /volt-sec, respectively. The movement of anions (possibly HSO 4 - ) also contribute to the overall conductivity.