Proton transport and dielectric properties of high molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K90 ) based solid polymer electrolytes for portable electrochemical devices

A simple solution cast route was used to prepare proton conducting solid polymer electrolytes using poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as polymer hosts and methanesulfonic acid as a proton provider. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed functional group interactions between polymers, blended polymers, and acid. Polymer glass transition temperature shifted with increasing acid content in the blend electrolytes provide thermal stability up to 290 °C, verified by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry analyses. Proton conductivity achieved = 1.16 × 10 −4 S/cm at room temperature with an ionic transport number of 0.98. Discharge profiles verified oxidation current < 10 μA for 2 V applied potential for the highly conductive electrolyte, confirming the prepared electrolytes as prime candidates for primary proton cells.