Newly developed sol-gel derived P2O5-ZrO2-TiO2-SiO2 proton conducting glass electrolyte for fuel cell applications
Proton conducting sol-gel P2O5-ZrO2-TiO2-SiO2 glass is synthesized and characterized with specific focus on the structural characterization of material which enable proton conductivity and on testing the stability of the glass under fuel cell conditions. The chemical structure of the synthesized glass was characterized by using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-red) spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction studies and the stability of the P2O5-ZrO2- TiO2-SiO2 glass was probed through the TGA and hydrogen permeation techniques. The amorphous phase of our glass was confirmed by the XRD analysis. The presence of hydro phosphate groups in the material responsible for the high conductivity and the Si, Zr and Ti bonded with the main backbone of Si and P-O were identified by the FTIR spectral data. The decomposition of surface adsorbed water and organic matters occur in the temperature range of 30-400°C. Pore distribution analysis shows that the average pore size of the synthesized glass is 2.65nm and pore volume and surface area are around 0.27cm3/g and 410m3/g respectively. The conductivity of the synthesized proton conductor was examined through electrochemical impedance analysis, conductivity is increased with increase in temperature and it was 10-4S/cm at room temperature and 10-3S/cm at elevated temperatures.