Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolyte Research Articles

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)-Protic ionic Liquid-Based anhydrous Proton-Conducting composite polymer electrolyte membranes for High-Temperature fuel cell applications

A high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has enormous potential to produce clean energy with minimal environmental pollution along with high energy density and conversion efficiency. In the present work, anhydrous proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membranes for prospective high-temperature fuel cell application were successfully prepared using different protic ionic liquids (PILs) and sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK). The protic ionic liquids (PILs), 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate, diethylmethyl ammonium triflate, 1-ethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1,2-dimethyl imidazolium bis(trifluoro methylsulfonyl)imide, and diethylmethylammonium methanesulfonate were selected based on their favorable physicochemical properties. The effect of the incorporation of the PIL on the structural, thermal, and electrical transport properties of the composite SPEEK polymer electrolyte membranes was studied. The prepared polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. FTIR results indicated an interaction between the PIL and the SPEEK, which resulted in homogeneous and flexible membranes. The DSC results confirmed good miscibility and elucidated plasticizing effect of the incorporated PIL on the SPEEK polymer matrix. All the PEMs showed good thermal stability and high-temperature anhydrous proton conductivity, achieving best proton conductivity, ≈8 × 10–3 S cm−1 at 120 °C and low activation energy ≈0.26 eV, making it suitable for prospective high-temperature PEMFC applications.

Effect of Plasma pretreatment and Graphene oxide ratios on the transport properties of PVA/PVP membranes for fuel cells

In this study, a novel proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane based on a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) (1:1) mixed with different ratios of graphene oxide (GO) and plasma-treated was successfully synthesized. Dielectric barrier dielectric (DBD) plasma was used to treat the prepared samples at various dose rates (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 min) and at fixed power input (2 kV, 50 kHz). The treated samples (PVA/PVP:GO wt%) were soaked in a solution of styrene and tetrahydrofuran (70:30 wt%) with 5 × 10−3 g of benzoyl peroxide as an initiator in an oven at 60 °C for 12 h and then sulfonated to create protonic membranes (PVA/PVP-g-PSSA:GO). The impacts of graphene oxide (GO) on the physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties of plasma-treated PVA/PVP-g-PSSA:x wt% GO membranes (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) were investigated using different techniques. SEM results showed a better dispersion of nanocomposite-prepared membranes; whereas the AFM results showed an increase in total roughness with increasing the content of GO. FTIR spectra provide more information about the structural variation arising from the grafting and sulfonation processes to confirm their occurrence. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the PVA/PVP-g-PSSA:x wt% GO composite is semi-crystalline. As the level of GO mixing rises, the crystallinity of the mixes decreases. According to the TGA curve, the PVA/PVP-g-PSSA:x wt% GO membranes are chemically stable up to 180 °C which is suitable for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Water uptake (WU) was also measured and found to decrease from 87.6 to 63.3% at equilibrium with increasing GO content. Ion exchange capacity (IEC) was calculated, and the maximum IEC value was 1.91 meq/g for the PVA/PVP-g-PSSA: 0.3 wt% GO composite membrane. At room temperature, the maximum proton conductivity was 98.9 mS/cm for PVA/PVP-g-PSSA: 0.3 wt% GO membrane. In addition, the same sample recorded a methanol permeability of 1.03 × 10−7 cm2/s, which is much less than that of Nafion NR-212 (1.63 × 10−6 cm2/s). These results imply potential applications for modified polyelectrolytic membranes in fuel cell technology.

A Review of Solid-State Proton-Polymer Batteries: Materials and Characterizations.

The ever-increasing global population necessitates a secure and ample energy supply, the majority of which is derived from fossil fuels. However, due to the immense energy demand, the exponential depletion of these non-renewable energy sources is both unavoidable and inevitable in the approaching century. Therefore, exploring the use of polymer electrolytes as alternatives in proton-conducting batteries opens an intriguing research field, as demonstrated by the growing number of publications on the subject. Significant progress has been made in the production of new and more complex polymer-electrolyte materials. Specific characterizations are necessary to optimize these novel materials. This paper provides a detailed overview of these characterizations, as well as recent advancements in characterization methods for proton-conducting polymer electrolytes in solid-state batteries. Each characterization is evaluated based on its objectives, experimental design, a summary of significant results, and a few noteworthy case studies. Finally, we discuss future characterizations and advances.

Studies on Polybenzimidazole and Methanesulfonate Protic-Ionic-Liquids-Based Composite Polymer Electrolyte Membranes.

In the present work, different methanesulfonate-based protic ionic liquids (PILs) were synthesized and their structural characterization was performed using FTIR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Their thermal behavior and stability were studied using DSC and TGA, respectively, and EIS was used to study the ionic conductivity of these PILs. The PIL, which was diethanolammonium-methanesulfonate-based due to its compatibility with polybenzimidazole (PBI) to form composite membranes, was used to prepare proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) for prospective high-temperature fuel cell application. The prepared PEMs were further characterized using FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM, and EIS. The FTIR results indicated good interaction among the PEM components and the DSC results suggested good miscibility and a plasticizing effect of the incorporated PIL in the PBI polymer matrix. All the PEMs showed good thermal stability and good proton conductivity for prospective high-temperature fuel cell application.

Improvement of the Structural and Electrical Properties of the Proton-Conducting PVA-NH4NO3 Solid Polymer Electrolyte System by Incorporating Nanosized Anatase TiO2 Single-Crystal

Improvement of the Structural and Electrical Properties of the Proton-Conducting PVA-NH4NO3 Solid Polymer Electrolyte System by Incorporating Nanosized Anatase TiO2 Single-Crystal

Synthesis and Studies on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane using Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polyvinylidene Fluoride and Ammonium Bromide as Dopants for Proton-conducting Electrolyte

Different compositions of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and Ammonium bromide (NH4Br) were employed to synthesize the proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membranes by Solution casting method, which have potential applications in proton (H+) ion batteries and fuel cells. Structural, vibrational and electrical properties of the synthesized polymer electrolyte membrane were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis and results were reported. The semi-crystalline nature of the prepared polymer was confirmed by XRD analysis. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the vibrational spectra of the prepared polymer membrane. The Nyquist plot drawn from the AC Impedance analysis was a straight line, confirming the dielectric nature of the prepared membrane.

Conductivity Study on Proton-Conducting Nanocomposite Plasticized Polymer Electrolytes: A Review

Abstract:This paper reviews proton-conducting polymer electrolytes comprising different polymers, salts, and acids. The ionic conductivity of plasticized polymer electrolytes has been found to increase with the addition of plasticizers due to the dissociation of ion aggregates or undissociated salt/acid present in the electrolytes, i.e., σ (plasticized polymer electrolytes) > σ (unplasticized polymer electrolytes). Proton-conducting nonaqueous nanocomposite plasticized polymer electrolytes containing poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymers; different ammonium salts and acids as proton conductors; ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMA), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC) as plasticizers; fumed silica and alumina as nano-fillers have been discussed in details. Conductivity studies (effect of salt/acid, effect of plasticizers, effect of nano-fillers, and effect of temperature), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry/thermal gravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA) studies for these electrolytes have been discussed and reported in the paper. Nanocomposite plasticized polymer electrolytes showed high ionic conductivity (in the order of 10-1 to 10-2 S/cm) at room temperature along with good thermal and mechanical stability due to the simultaneous addition of both plasticizers and nano-fillers. These nanocomposite polymer electrolytes are the best candidates for use in various electrochemical devices like solid-state batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, sensors, separators, and other electrochromic devices.

Influence of scan rate on CV Pattern: Electrical and electrochemical properties of plasticized Methylcellulose: Dextran (MC:Dex) proton conducting polymer electrolytes

Solid polymer electrolytes containing methylcellulose:dextran (MC-DEX), ammonium hexafluorophosphate (NH4PF6), and glycerol have been prepared via the solution cast method. Various techniques have been used to characterize the prepared electrolyte samples. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the interaction between polymers and electrolyte components. According to the electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the highest conducting plasticized system achieves a conductivity of 6.71 × 10-4 S cm−1 at ambient temperature. The mobility, number density, and diffusion coefficient of ions were measured using both FTIR and EIS methods, and it was found that their values rise as the amount of glycerol increases. Polarization due to ion migration is responsible for the high value of dielectric parameters. According to transference number measurement (TNM), the transport ion (tion) is 0.92, verifying that the ions are the primary charge carriers. The electrochemical stability window of the maximum conducting plasticized system is 1.58 V, based on linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) analysis. The electrical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) device is fabricated using the highest conducting plasticized system. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) curve is roughly rectangular in shape and with no presence of Faradaic peaks with its specific capacitance of 32.69F/g at 10 mV/s.

Synthesis and Characterization of Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolytes based on Poly (N-vinyl pyrrolidone) and Polyvinylchloride

Poly (N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), Polyvinylchloride (PVC) blend membrane doped with different molar weight percentage of NH4Br has been prepared by solution casting technique using dimethyleformamide (DMF) as solvent and characterized for electrical properties. The prepared polymer electrolyte has been studied by XRD, FT-IR, Dielectric and Capacitance measurements. The XRD results show that the amorphous nature of PVP has increased in 70%PVP: 30%PVC. It is also observed that the amorphous nature of 70%PVP: 30%PVC is further increased by the addition of different concentration of NH4Br. A complex formation of PVP: PVC, PVP: PVC: NH4Br have been confirmed by FT-IR studies. Proton conductivity for the above film has been measured using impedance spectroscopy. The polymer blends 70%PVP: 30%PVC shows an ionic conductivity of 8.46X10-8 Scm-1. The conductivity of the blend film increases as concentration of NH4Br increases. The maximum proton conductivity 2.78X10-3 Scm-1 has been observed for 70%PVP: 30%PVC: 0.6 Molar weights (MWt) NH4Br. The primary proton battery with configuration of Zn + ZnSO4.7H2O/70PVP:30PVC: 0.6 Mwt% NH4Br/PbO2 + V2O5 are fabricated and tested.

(Energy Technology Division Research Award) The Emerging Research Needs of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysis Cells

Proton conducting polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis has emerged as the currently favored research area to enable a global transformation of the energy system with hydrogen from renewable sources as a critical central feature. The hydrogen council has suggested that hydrogen impacts by 2050 could be $2.5T annually and 18% of total global energy demand.[1] While other electrolysis routes including traditional alkaline (based on aqueous KOH), alkaline membrane (emerging) and solid oxide electrolysis are all also being explored, and other possible hydrogen production pathways exist. The ability of PEM electrolysis to fit the needs of the emerging energy system as a dispatchable resource meeting cost, performance and durability requirements most effectively has led to a greater focus on PEM electrolysis than other electrolysis approaches within the global R&D community. The extent PEM electrolysis will establish itself commercially will depend largely on the advances made in the next several years.Much of the focus on PEM electrolysis has been centered around the advances made in PEM fuel cells, and the belief that these advances can be translated to PEM electrolysis systems. In particular, PEM fuel cells have largely been designed for transportation applications where they operate at low duty cycles (mostly off), and experience significant start-stop cycling (multiple times per day) while still achieving requisite performance and durability (several years).[2] Renewable energy sources are dramatically impacting the cost and availability of electricity and the ability to translate these resources into other energy sectors – most notably transportation and industry. While it is hoped that PEM electrolyzers can achieve cost, performance and durability targets, the research needs and challenges are not identical to PEM fuel cells.A new Department of Energy Consortium (H2NEW – Hydrogen from Next-generation Electrolyzers of Water) funded out of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office is focused on enabling the cell-level fundamental understanding and advances required to address achieving $2/kg hydrogen through electrolysis. The primary focus of this effort is PEM electrolysis, the focus of the talk.A challenge in meeting the cost, performance and durability of PEM electrolysis systems is that current systems have had a strong emphasis on efficiency and durability. This means that cost has not been a primary concern such that systems could be “over-engineered” using extra or more expensive components and processing techniques. This approach has meant that little is understood about fundamental degradation rates relevant to systems that have not been over-engineered. Additionally, the markets that these devices have been sold into have typically operated under continuous conditions rather than the variable, intermittent load profiles that could couple to renewable or low-cost electricity inputs expected in the future. A clear understanding of the optimum system and operating conditions is not well understood at this time, nor is the impact of such operating conditions on performance and durability.Research needs place a high priority on durability under variable operating conditions. Specific components have susceptibility to different performance and durability impacts. In this talk, the impact of operating conditions and a discussion of projected operating conditions will be discussed. The concerns for both performance and durability will be discussed at the cell level with consideration of various cell components including catalyst, polymer, electrode, and porous transport layers. Accelerated stress tests for components in cells is a critical need and will also be presented. Finally, system and techno-economic considerations will also be included.References Hydrogen Council. “Hydrogen Scaling Up.” November 2017. http://hydrogencouncil.com/hydrogen-scaling-up/ B Pivovar, N Rustagi, S Satyapal, Electrochemical Society Interface 27 (1), 47.

Electrocatalysis for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acidic Media: Progress and Challenges

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the efficiency-determining half-reaction process of high-demand, electricity-driven water splitting due to its sluggish four-electron transfer reaction. Tremendous effects on developing OER catalysts with high activity and strong acid-tolerance at high oxidation potentials have been made for proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), which is one of the most promising future hydrogen-fuel-generating technologies. This review presents recent progress in understanding OER mechanisms in PEMWE, including the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and the lattice-oxygen-mediated mechanism (LOM). We further summarize the latest strategies to improve catalytic performance, such as surface/interface modification, catalytic site coordination construction, and electronic structure regulation of catalytic centers. Finally, challenges and prospective solutions for improving OER performance are proposed.

Communication—Phosphoric Acid Based Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolytes for Organic Field Effect Transistor Gate Dielectrics

A phosphoric acid (H3PO4)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrolyte was demonstrated as a gate dielectric for electrolyte-gated field-effect transistors (EGFETs). These devices exhibited high performance with sub 1 V operation, a high ON/OFF ratio >105 and a low subthreshold swing of 90 mV/decade. The results show the strong viability of proton conducting polymer electrolytes as gate dielectrics which open the door for further development of low-power EGFETs.

Development of medicinal plant (Centella Asiatica – Gotu Kola) based proton conducting polymer electrolytes for electrochemical device applications

A novel medicinal plant (GotuKola) based proton conducting polymer electrolytes (synthetic polymer (PVA)/ medicinal plant Cenetella Asiatica (CA)/ NH4I) were prepared and characterized via Solution Casting Technique for construction of Proton (H+) ion battery. Their structural, thermal, vibrational and electrical properties were characterized by XRD, DSC, FTIR and AC impedance analysis. The increase in amorphous nature/ decrease in crystalline nature of the prepared polymer membranes have been confirmed by X – ray diffraction analysis. The low Tg value of the maximumionic conducting (σ) polymer membrane was characterized by DSC analysis. Vibrational spectra of prepared polymer membranes were characterized by FTIR analysis. From the AC impedance analysis, 1 g PVA: 400 mg CA: 300 mg NH4I has the highest ionic (H+) conductivity as 2.11 × 10−3 Scm−1at ambient temperature. The electrochemical stability window of the highest ionic conductivity (σ) polymer membrane is 3.29 V. All the acquired outcomes recommend that PVA/ Centella Asiatica/ NH4I based polymer electrolytes are suitable materials for electrochemical device applications (battery, fuel cell and gas sensors etc). The highest ionic conductivity (σ) membrane has been used to construct the primary proton (H+) ion battery. From the fabrication of primary proton ion (H+) battery, the open-circuit voltage is found to be 1.9 V.

Bio-Based Plasticized PVA Based Polymer Blend Electrolytes for Energy Storage EDLC Devices: Ion Transport Parameters and Electrochemical Properties.

This report shows a simple solution cast methodology to prepare plasticized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/methylcellulose (MC)-ammonium iodide (NH4I) electrolyte at room temperature. The maximum conducting membrane has a conductivity of 3.21 × 10−3 S/cm. It is shown that the number density, mobility and diffusion coefficient of ions are enhanced by increasing the glycerol. A number of electric and electrochemical properties of the electrolyte—impedance, dielectric properties, transference numbers, potential window, energy density, specific capacitance (Cs) and power density—were determined. From the determined electric and electrochemical properties, it is shown that PVA: MC-NH4I proton conducting polymer electrolyte (PE) is adequate for utilization in energy storage device (ESD). The decrease of charge transfer resistance with increasing plasticizer was observed from Bode plot. The analysis of dielectric properties has indicated that the plasticizer is a novel approach to increase the number of charge carriers. The electron and ion transference numbers were found. From the linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) response, the breakdown voltage of the electrolyte is determined. From Galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) measurement, the calculated Cs values are found to drop with increasing the number of cycles. The increment of internal resistance is shown by equivalent series resistance (ESR) plot. The energy and power density were studied over 250 cycles that results to the value of 5.38–3.59 Wh/kg and 757.58–347.22 W/kg, respectively.

Ionic Conductivity and Structural Properties for CMC - AN in Propylene Carbonate as Plasticizer in Solid Biopolymer Electrolytes

The present study aims to investigate the structural and ionic conductivity of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) - ammonium nitrate (AN) – propylene carbonate (PC) as proton conducting polymer electrolytes. The CMC-AN-PC were prepared via solution casting technique. The complexion of polymer electrolyte films has been confirmed via FTIR studies. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the occurrence of complexation between the polymer electrolyte components. Impedance studies reveals that the highest ionic conductivity of CMC-AN-5wt% PC 6.5 × 10−3 Scm−1 was observed in polymer electrolyte system obtained at ambient temperature.

Effect of ZnO Nanoparticle Content on the Structural and Ionic Transport Parameters of Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Proton-Conducting Polymer Electrolyte Membranes.

Proton conducting nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes (NSPEs) based on polyvinyl alcohol/ammonium nitrate (PVA/NH4NO3) and different contents of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have been prepared using the casting solution method. The XRD analysis revealed that the sample with 2 wt.% ZnO-NPs has a high amorphous content. The ionic conductivity analysis for the prepared membranes has been carried out over a wide range of frequencies at varying temperatures. Impedance analysis shows that sample with 2 wt.% ZnO-NPs has a smaller bulk resistance compared to that of undoped polymer electrolyte. A small amount of ZnO-NPs was found to enhance the proton-conduction significantly; the highest obtainable room-temperature ionic conductivity was 4.71 × 10−4 S/cm. The effect of ZnO-NP content on the transport parameters of the prepared proton-conducting NSPEs was investigated using the Rice–Roth model; the results reveal that the increase in ionic conductivity is due to an increment in the number of proton ions and their mobility.

Enhancing Proton Conduction of Poly(benzimidazole) with Sulfonated Titania Nano Composite Membrane for PEM Fuel Cell Applications

Polybenzimidazole (PBI)-sulfonated nano titania (S-TiO2) polymer composite membranes have been prepared by solvent casting technique for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the polymer structure and confirm the complexation of the sulfonated titania inside the polymer matrix. The highest proton conductivity obtained was 0.091 S cm−1 at 160 °C. The temperature dependent proton conductivity of the phosphoric acid doped proton conducting polymer electrolyte exhibits an Arrhenius relation and Grotthuss mechanism. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that all the prepared proton conducting polymer membrane exhibit good thermal stability. The morphological behaviors of the prepared proton conducting polymer electrolytes were depicted by scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph. The prepared composite membranes were characterized by proton conductivity, durability and mechanical strength. The acid uptake of the PBI-sulfonated titania blended membrane was found to be higher than that of the pristine PBI. The fabricated composite membrane with the highest conductivity exhibited a maximum current density of 0.89 A cm−2 through the high proton conductivity.

Stability against Degradation and Activity of Catalysts with Different Platinum Load Synthesized at Carbon Nanotubes

Platinum catalysts synthesized at carbon nanotubes with the noble metal content of 20 and 40 wt % are studied under model conditions and in cathodes of membrane-electrode assemblies (MEA) of hydrogen–air fuel cells with proton-conducting polymer electrolyte. The effect of the cathode active layer and MEA overall composition on the activity and operation stability of the synthesized catalytic systems is elucidated. Stability against degradation is studied by using the accelerated stress-testing method by the cathode potential repeated cycling over the 0.6–1.3 V range. The synthesized catalysts were shown to possess higher stability against degradation as compared to the commercial 60Pt/C catalysts (HiSPEC). Contribution of the electrochemical, Ohmic, and transport components into the overall voltage losses depends on the total platinum surface area in the active layers, which determines the polarization current density, and on the Pt mass at the support. The higher Ohmic and transport losses in the case of the catalyst with the Pt content of 40 wt %, as compared to the catalyst containing 20 wt % of platinum, are due to the structural characteristics, namely, a decrease in the carbon nanotubes’ pore volume and size when a greater metal load is applied.

Ionic Conductivity of Protonated Layered Titanate Nano-Powder Compact in Water

Ion-conducting materials are significantly important for electrochemical energy conversion. In particular, proton-conducting polymer electrolyte has been commercialized in a wide range of residential-type fuel cells and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. In the way, Nafion have been extensively used for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell and water electrolysis, however, it has few drawbacks including high production cost, low proton-conductivities and low humidity at high temperature (>100 °C). Recently, huge research efforts have been focused on the investigation of a new proton conducting inorganic electrolyte materials as an alternative to polymer-based membranes. Hence, we have demonstrated that nano-powder of a layered protonated titanate (H2Ti2O5.H2O; LPT) compound exhibits a significant proton conductivity and that the conduction has been identified to take place on the surface of the nanoparticles in contact with water. The conductivity was measured on the compact of the un-milled/milled powder and it reached higher than 10-2 S cm-1 at 95 °C in water in the milled case. The increase in conductivity of LPT after bead milling along with the thermogravimetric and surface area analysis suggested that the protonic conduction takes place on the surface of the nanoparticles in contact with water. A linear relationship was found between the BET surface area and electrical conductivity, indicating that the majority of proton conduction take place on the surface of titanates nanoparticles. However, the conductivity of LPT was still low (~10-2 Scm-1) compared to conventional electrolyte materials, such as Nafion other high-performance polymer electrolytes (~10-1 Scm-1). Nevertheless, the present conductivity of LPT is equivalent to 100 mΩ at 10 µm thick per cm2, which is applicable to water electrolysis and fuel cells. This work has demonstrated a great potential of using cheap and inorganic LPT materials as electrolyte materials in energy conversion applications. Figure 1

Proton conducting polymer electrolyte based on cornstarch, PVP, and NH4Br for energy storage applications

Proton conducting polymer blend electrolytes based on cornstarch and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) with ammonium bromide (NH4Br) were prepared by the technique of solution casting. Enhancement of amorphous nature by the addition of NH4Br has confirmed by XRD. In FTIR,by the addition of NH4Br salt in the optimized blend system, there occurs a change like altering the peak intensity, peak shape, and position. This reveals the appearance of complex formation between the polymer and salt. At 358 K, 30 wt.% of NH4Br added system shows the maximum conductivity (1.31 × 10−4 S cm−1). The conduction mechanism of higher conducting polymer blend electrolytes follows the quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT) at mid-frequency and overlapping large polaron tunneling (OLPT) at higher frequency. High dielectric constant and low relaxation time of ions in polymer chain are obtained for 30 wt.% of NH4Br added polymer blend electrolyte. From Wagner’s polarization technique, it is established that conduction present in the polymer electrolytes is predominately due to ions. Faradaic pseudo capacity behaviour has observed in higher conducting sample by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical cell has prepared by the higher conducting polymer electrolyte and the open circuit potential (OCP) of 1.24 V has achieved from prepared electrochemical cell.