Stabilization over time of CsH2PO4 conductivity by using propyl sulfonic acid functionalized silica under ambient and humid conditions.

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Abstract

Cesium Dihydrogen Phosphate (CDP) show a sudden, 1000-fold jump in protonic conductivity at when heated up to ~235°C from room temperature. However, CDP experience a chemical decomposition into a nonconductive oxide at the same temperature threshold.
Propyl Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Silica (PSAFS) is a well-known strong cation exchanger for polymers. A mechanical mixture based on a mole fraction of 0.7 CDP to 0.3 PSAFS was prepared for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) under ambient and humid conditions. EIS measurements were taken from 200°C to 260°C with a heating ramp of 2.5 °C/min every 10 degrees and the sample was held at 260°C for 20 hours. While at isotherm, impedance data was collected every hour. Conductivity values for the composite at hour 20 were 1.296 x10-04 Scm-1 in ambient conditions, and 2.11 x10-03 Scm-1 under humid conditions. Neat CDP produced values of 7.14 x10-07 Scm-1 and 5.86 x10-06 Scm-1 in ambient and humid conditions respectively.
Over a time study of 20 hours the composite outperformed neat CDP with respect to time in both ambient and humid conditions.

Authors

• Israel Martinez, UTEP

• Cristian Botez, UTEP

• Alex Price, UTEP

• Andrea Montgomery, UTEP

• Sonam Lhamo, UTEP