Abstract
In this work, novel proton conducting anhydrous polymer electrolytes based on alginic acid (AL) and 1,2,4-Triazole (Tri) were investigated. The biomaterials were prepared by the combination of alginic acid with a heterocyclic protogenic solvent, 1,2,4-triazole at several molar ratios, x to form ALTri(x). The materials can be cast into transparent, homogeneous thin films (50-100 mu m). FT-IR spectroscopy suggested the proton exchange reactions between -COOH group of AL and Tri. Thermal properties of the materials were studied via thermogravimetic analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study reveals the amorphous nature of the ALTri(x) electrolytes. Proton conductivity increases with the Tri content and ALTri(1.5) exhibited approximate maximum conductivity of similar to 0.1 mS/cm at 100 degrees C.