Straightforward Nonhydrolytic Sol-Gel Route to Mesoporous Mixed-Conducting Tungsten Oxide

Mesoporous, mixed-valence tungsten oxides were synthesized by a straightforward, nonhydrolytic sol-gel method utilizing 1-butanol / tert-butanol mixtures as the gelling solvent. Composition of alcohol mixture has sensible effect on mesoporous characteristics of final product. Electron conductivity of c.a. 20 S/cm was registered at room temperature for oxide subjected to treatment at 500°C. Upon wetting or humidification, these materials acquire also sensible proton-conduction characteristics. Proton conductivity in excess of 1.510–2 S/cm was measured at room temperature. As a result, these mesoporous oxides do exhibit concurrent electron and proton conduction properties under humidified conditions.