Studies on a new proton conducting polymer system: poly(ethylene succinate) + NH4ClO4

Poly(ethylene succinate) complexed with different amounts of NH4ClO4 is investigated as a possible proton conducting polymer. DTA, XRD, IR and complex impedance spectroscopy techniques have been used for the structural and ion transport studies. The conductivity as a function of composition, temperature and relative humidity are reported. The paper also reports the effect of addition of a plasticiser poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of different molecular weights on the conductivity. Higher conductivity is obtained for materials in which the added plasticiser PEG has a lower molecular weight.