Abstract

Composite electrolyte comprising phosphotungstic acid (PWA) filler and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-tetrafluoroborate (BMImBF 4) room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) matrix has been prepared. The polymer matrix was formed by free radical polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers. BMImBF 4 was used as both ionic source and plasticizer, and PWA filler provided the proton conductivity in this system. The interactions and structure changes of the PHEMA-RTIL-PWA composites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectra, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. PWA fillers maintained their Keggin structure within a limited range and enhanced the ionic conductivity of the composite electrolyte. The electrolyte with PWA at the 2 wt.% showed the highest ionic conductivity of 8 × 10 − 4 S cm − 1 at room temperature and 96% relative humidity.

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