Novel mesostructured electrolytes: Synthesis and characterization of meso-silicon dioxide-carbon(12) E oxygen(10) hydroxyl-trifluoromethane sulfonic acid and meso-silicon dioxide-carbon(12) E oxygen(10) hydroxyl-lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate

The mesostructured solid electrolyte materials, meso-SiO₂-C ₁₂EO₁₀OH-CF₃SO₃H and meso-SiO ₂-C₁₂EO₁₀OH-CF₃SO₃Li are synthesized and characterized. A lyotropic surfactant-triflic acid (or nitric acid-lithium triflate)-silicate liquid crystal is used as a supramolecular template for a “one-pot” synthesis of these materials. Within this mesostructure, the head groups of the non-ionic surfactant that is imbibed within the channels of hexagonal mesostructured silica act in a “crown ether like” fashion towards the protons or lithium ions. The structure and dynamics of these samples are studied via several techniques including Polarized Optical Microscopy, Powder X-ray Diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Raman spectroscopy. AC impedance is used to determine the proton conductivity of meso-SiO₂-C₁₂EO₁₀OH-CF₃SO ₃H at different relative humidity values, as it may have use in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Lastly, the lithium conductivity of meso-SiO ₂-C₁₂EO₁₀OH-CF₃SO₃Li is examined at various temperatures, as it may have use as an electrolyte in Li Solid State Batteries.