Proton conducting copolymer electrolytes based on vinyl phosphonic acid and 5-(methacrylamido)tetrazole

Abstract

Copolymer electrolytes based on 5-(methacrylamido)tetrazole (MTet) and vinyl phosphonic acid (VPA) are prepared. The obtained copolymers are analyzed by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and 31P NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differantial scanning calorimetry (DSC), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), elemental analysis (EA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and impedance spectroscopy. The morphology of the copolymers is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest proton conductivity is obtained as 0.01 S/cm at 150°C and in anhydrous conditions. Proton-conducting polymer electrolytes, including phosphonic acid units, are hopeful candidates for fuel-cell applications due to their high conductivity, and thermal and chemical stability. Copolymers based on 5-(methacrylamido)tetrazole (MTet) and vinyl phosphonic acid (VPA) are prepared. The highest proton conductivity is obtained as 0.01 S/cm at 150°C and in anhydrous conditions. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.