Proton-conducting zirconium phosphate/poly(vinyl acetate)/glycerine gel electrolytes

This work reports on a proton gel electrolyte composed of zirconium phosphate (ZP) particles suspended in a poly(vinyl acetate)/glycerine matrix. The material was studied by X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, impedance spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry. It had a proton conductivity of 1–0.1 mS/cm at room temperature and remained stable and transparent up to at least 110 °C; it therefore appears suitable for uses in electrochromic devices. The structure of the ZP powder and of the gel is discussed in terms of water removal from interplanar spaces by heating or exfoliation. It is suggested that an exfoliation of the layered structure of ZP by intercalation of glycerine produces a dispersion of ZP nanoparticles in the poly(vinyl acetate)/glycerine matrix.