Anhydrous proton-conducting imidazole triflate-SiO(2) composite

ImidazoleTriflate (ITF)—SiO(2) composites xITF-(100-x)SiO(2) were prepared by planetary ball-milling method. The structure of the composites was studied by TG-DTA, XRD and FT-IR methods. The ionic conductivity was assessed by alternative current (AC) electrochemical impedance measurement. From XRD results, the crystal size of imidazole triflate became smaller as its loading in xITF-(100-x)SiO(2) decreased. With x = 40 weight percent, the calculated crystal size was about 7.3 nm. FT-IR spectra showed the existence of CF(3)SO(3)(-)···H(+) ion aggregates and imidazole—proton bonds. The electrical conductivity of sample x = 50 was about 6.3 × 10(−3) Scm(−1) at 130 °C under anhydrous condition and about 30 times higher than that of sample x = 100.