Inorganic-organic proton conductors based on alkylsulfone functionalities and their patterning by photoinduced methods

An inorganic-organic proton conducting polymer electrolyte (ORMOCER+) is presented which may be used in batteries, electrochromic windows, displays and fuel cells. This new class of material, consisting of an interconnected network of inorganic oxide and organic components, prepared by sol-gel processing is used to form coatings and membranes. Alkylsulfone alkoxysilanes were synthesised in order to provide the expected proton conductors. Cocondensation with reactive polymerisable alkoxysilanes results in oxidic oligomers which can be organically cross-linked via uv-initiated and/or thermal polymerisation. The material exhibits a proton conductivity of 10(-2) Omega(-1) cm(-1) at RT, a thermal stability of the amorphous network up to 180 degrees C, optical transparency and chemical stability. The materials were patterned by laser writing and photolithography. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.