Synthesis and Characterization of the Proton-Conducting Gels Based on PVdF and PMMA Matrixes Doped with Heteropolyacids

Novel proton-conducting gels have been prepared by entrapping heteropolyacids solutions in polar aprotic solvents within the polymer matrix. The influence of the type of solvent, polymer matrix, and acid concentration on the conductivity, mechanical properties, and thermal stability has been examined. Poly(methyl methacrylate)-based electrolytes show improved optical transparency and mechanical properties in comparison with poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based gels with a slight decrease in the conductivity. The high proton conductivity values in the wide temperature range from 5 × 10 - 4 S/cm at −60 °C to 8 × 10 - 3 S/cm at 90 °C make the obtained gels promising materials for application in electrochemical devices. Transport of the proton has also been studied on the basis of the analysis of conductivity data.