Proton conduction in adipic acid/benzimidazole hybrid electrolytes

Anhydrous proton conducting organic electrolytes were prepared by doping of adipic acid (AA) with benzimidazole (BnIm) at various stoichiometric ratios to form BnImxAA (x is the mol ratio of BnIm to -COOH unit). The AA-BnIm interactions were investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal properties were characterized by means of thermogravimetry analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The proton conductivity of these materials was studied by dielectric spectroscopy. The blends exhibit a maximum proton conductivity of 4×10−3 S/cm at 130 °C.