Proton-conducting polymer electrolyte. I. The polyethylene oxide+NH₄ClO₄ system

Proton transport in solution-cast films of polyethylene oxide (PEO) complexed with ammonium perchlorate (NH₄ClO₄) has been established using optical microscopy, XRD, DTA, IR, coulometry, transient ionic current and electrical conductivity studies. The solubility of NH₄ClO₄ in PEO is found to be limited to a maximum concentration NH₄⁺/EO ratio of 0.167. The highest conductivity ( approximately 1.05*10^-5 S cm^-1) is for the film with NH₄⁺/EO=0.02-0.1. The H⁺ ion transference number, t_H+, and mobility, mu _H+, are 0.85 and 1.7*10^-4 cm² V^-1 s^-1, respectively. The movement of ClO₄^- ions also contributes slightly to the overall charge transport.