Study of New Types of Oxides, Having High Protonic and Low Electronic Conuctivities, to be Used as Electrolytes in Low Temperature Electrolytic Cells for Water Vapour Electrolysis

Abstract

The proton conductor behaviours of various oxyhydroxides and layered hydrates were tested by means of EMF measurements. The oxyhydroxides, γ-AlOOH, SbOOH and α-FeOOH, were prepared and tested in the temperature range 100–250°C. The EMF measurements show that γ-AlOOH does act as a proton conductor material, whereas no clear evidence of proton conductivity was obtained for SbOOH and α-FeOOH, the experimental data in both cases being somewhat ambiguous.

The layered hydrates, HUO₂PO₄. 4H₂O and H(H₂O)_x beta″ alumina, were prepared and tested in the temperature range 20–50°C. EMF results indicate that these materials do behave as proton conductors. In particular, the hydronium beta″ alumina proved of interest; its, stability up to 250°C and its good conductivity (10^-1 ohm^-1 cm^-1 at ~ 80°C) are positive indications for proton conductor testing in water vapour electrolysis.