Preparation and characterization of new proton conducting chalcogenide glasses

Proton modified sulfide glasses analogous to ion conducting alkali-modified glasses have been prepared and characterized. Meta-thioboric acid (H3B3S6) was used as a precursor for anhydrous protons and several series of ternary systems with a general formula (H2S + B2S3 + MnSm; MnSm = GeS2, As2S3, SiS2) have been studied. The preparation, structural characterization, and proton conductivity of these materials are reported. These materials are anhydrous proton conductors at temperatures above 100 °C and as such are based on a new type of proton bonding and motion. These materials are unique and proton migration occurs without the aid of hydrogen bonding (liquid H2O) or a special sub-lattice for proton migration. The present study illustrates the importance of chalcogenide materials towards the development of novel fast proton conductors.