Proton-vacancy conducting polymers based on polyethylene oxide and sulfamide-type salts

Abstract

A noble basic proton conducting polymer (so-called proton-vacancy conducting polymer) based on a solvating polymer (PEO), a sulfamide-type salt and a doping agent (guanidine, proton-vacancy inducer) is presented. Three eutectics and three intermediate crystalline compounds are found in the phase diagram established for the P(EO) n NH 2SO 2NH 2 system (where n = O/S stands as the ratio of monomer units per sulfamide molecule). Experimental data obtained for two different doping levels (represented as the ratio N/H of guanidine molecules added per proton extracted) indicate that conductivity is raised as more protons are extracted from sulfamide. At room temperature one of the doped samples exhibits 10 −5 Ω −1 cm −1. A conduction mechanism is proposed. A new vibrational band, ir inactive and probably due to complexation effects, is seen at about 896 cm −1 in the Raman spectra of some of the complexes studied in the absence of base. The NH 2 stretching Raman bands characteristic of the analysed complexes are evidenced.