Proton-conducting gel polyelectrolytes based on Lewis acid

A novel proton‐gel‐conducting polymer electrolyte was prepared by blending boron trifluoride diethyl etherate with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), glycerol, and propylene carbonate (PC) at certain molar ratios. The electrolytes exhibited ambient conductivity from 10−5 to 10−3 S/cm. DSC results indicated that the electrolytes were amorphous. The 1H‐NMR and Raman spectra showed strong interactions between the Lewis acid and the hydroxyl groups both of glycerol and of PEO. This resulted in the formation of protons for ionic conduction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1267–1272, 2003