Benzimidazole tethered proton conducting organic electrolytes

Novel proton conducting organic electrolytes based on 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thiapropane (bBImTP) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflic acid) were prepared by doping of bBImTP with triflic acid at several molar ratios. The materials were characterized by using FT-IR, FT-Raman and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal properties were investigated by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Proton conductivity studies were carried out using an AC impedance spectroscopy. Anhydrous organic electrolytes exhibited a proton conductivity of 3 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 140 °C.