Two Highly Stable Proton Conductive Cobalt(II)–Organic Frameworks as Impedance Sensors for Formic Acid

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been extensively explored as advanced chemical sensors in recent years. However, there are few studies on MOFs as acidic gas sensors, especially proton conductive MOFs. In this work, two new proton-conducting 3D MOFs, {[Co₃(p-CPhHIDC)₂(4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)] ⋅ 2 H₂O}_n ( 1 ) (p-CPhH₄IDC=2-(4-carboxylphenyl)-1 H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid; 4,4′-bipy=4,4′-bipyridine) and {[Co₃(p-CPhHIDC)₂(bpe)(H₂O)] ⋅ 3 H₂O}_n ( 2 ) (bpe=trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene) have been solvothermally prepared and investigated their formic acid sensing properties. Both MOFs 1 and 2 show temperature- and humidity-dependent proton conductive properties and exhibit optimized proton conductivities of 1.04×10⁻³ and 7.02×10⁻⁴ S cm at 98 % relative humidity (RH) and 100 °C, respectively. The large number of uncoordinated carboxylic acid sites, free and coordination water molecules, and hydrogen-bonding networks inside the frameworks are favorable to the proton transfer. By measuring the impedance values after exposure to formic acid vapor at 98 % or 68 % RH and 25 °C, both MOFs indicate reproducibly high sensitivity to the analyte. The detection limit of formic acid vapor is as low as 35 ppm for 1 and 70 ppm for 2 . Meanwhile, both MOFs also show commendable selectivity towards formic acid among interfering solutions. The proton conducting and formic acid sensing mechanisms have been suggested according to the structural analysis, E_a calculations, N₂ and water vapor absorptions, PXRD and SEM measurements. This work will open a new avenue for proton-conductive MOF-based impedance sensors and promote the potential application of these MOFs for indirectly monitoring the concentrations of formic acid vapors.     

pH‐Dependent Proton Conducting Behavior in a Metal–Organic Framework Material

A porous metal–organic framework (MOF), [Ni₂(dobdc)(H₂O)₂]?6 H₂O (Ni₂(dobdc) or Ni‐MOF‐74; dobdc^4?=2,5‐dioxido‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate) with hexagonal channels was synthesized using a microwave‐assisted solvothermal reaction. Soaking Ni₂(dobdc) in sulfuric acid solutions at different pH values afforded new proton‐conducting frameworks, H⁺@Ni₂(dobdc). At pH 1.8, the acidified MOF shows proton conductivity of 2.2×10^?2 S cm^?1 at 80 °C and 95 % relative humidity (RH), approaching the highest values reported for MOFs. Proton conduction occurs via the Grotthuss mechanism with a significantly low activation energy as compared to other proton‐conducting MOFs. Protonated water clusters within the pores of H⁺@Ni₂(dobdc) play an important role in the conduction process.     

Boosting Proton Conductivity in Highly Robust 3D Inorganic Cationic Extended Frameworks through Ion Exchange with Dihydrogen Phosphate Anions

The limited long‐term hydrolytic stability of rapidly emerging 3D‐extended framework materials (MOFs, COFs, MOPs, etc.) is still one of major barriers for their practical applications as new solid‐state electrolytes in fuel cells. To obtain hydrolytically stable materials, two H₂PO₄^?‐exchanged 3D inorganic cationic extended frameworks (CEFs) were successfully prepared by a facile anion‐exchange method. Both anion‐exchanged CEFs (YbO(OH)P and NDTBP) show significantly enhanced proton conductivity when compared with the original materials (YbO(OH)Cl and NDTB) with an increase of up to four orders‐of‐magnitude, reaching 2.36×10^?3 and 1.96×10^?2 S cm^?1 at 98 % RH and 85 °C for YbO(OH)P and NDTBP, respectively. These values are comparable to the most efficient proton‐conducting MOFs. In addition, these two anion‐exchanged materials are stable in boiling water, which originates from the strong electrostatic interaction between the H₂PO₄^? anion and the cationic host framework, showing a clear advance over all the acid‐impregnated materials (H₂SO₄@MIL‐101, H₃PO₄@MIL‐101, and H₃PO₄@Tp‐Azo) as practical solid‐state fuel‐cell electrolytes. This work offers a new general and efficient approach to functionalize 3D‐extended frameworks through an anion‐exchange process and achieves water‐stability with ultra‐high proton conductivity above 10^?2 S cm^?1.     

Solvent‐Vapor‐Induced Reversible Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Transformation of a Triphosphaazatriangulene‐Based Metal–Organic Framework

A triphosphaazatriangulene (H₃L) was synthesized through an intramolecular triple phospha‐Friedel–Crafts reaction. The H₃L triangulene contains three phosphinate groups and an extended π‐conjugated framework, which enables the stimuli‐responsive reversible transformation of [Cu(HL)(DMSO)?(MeOH)]_n, a 3D‐MOF that exhibits reversible sorption characteristics, into (H₃L?0.5 [Cu₂(OH)₄?6 H₂O] ?4 H₂O), a 1D‐columnar assembled proton‐conducting material. The hydrophilic nature of the latter resulted in a proton conductivity of 5.5×10^?3 S cm^?1 at 95 % relative humidity and 60 °C.     

Photocatalytic Formic Acid Conversion on CdS Nanocrystals with Controllable Selectivity for H2 or CO

Formic acid is considered a promising energy carrier and hydrogen storage material for a carbon‐neutral economy. We present an inexpensive system for the selective room‐temperature photocatalytic conversion of formic acid into either hydrogen or carbon monoxide. Under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm, 1 sun), suspensions of ligand‐capped cadmium sulfide nanocrystals in formic acid/sodium formate release up to 116±14 mmol H₂ g_cat^?1 h^?1 with >99 % selectivity when combined with a cobalt co‐catalyst; the quantum yield at λ=460 nm was 21.2±2.7 %. In the absence of capping ligands, suspensions of the same photocatalyst in aqueous sodium formate generate up to 102±13 mmol CO g_cat^?1 h^?1 with >95 % selectivity and 19.7±2.7 % quantum yield. H₂ and CO production was sustained for more than one week with turnover numbers greater than 6×10⁵ and 3×10⁶, respectively.     

Cooperative Crystallization of Heterometallic Indium–Chromium Metal–Organic Polyhedra and Their Fast Proton Conductivity

Metal–organic polyhedra (MOPs) or frameworks (MOFs) based on Cr³⁺ are notoriously difficult to synthesize, especially as crystals large enough to be suitable for characterization of the structure or properties. It is now shown that the co‐existence of In³⁺ and Cr³⁺ induces a rapid crystal growth of large single crystals of heterometallic In‐Cr‐MOPs with the [M₈L₁₂] (M=In/Cr, L=dinegative 4,5‐imidazole‐dicarboxylate) cubane‐like structure. With a high concentration of protons from 12 carboxyl groups decorating every edge of the cube and an extensive H‐bonded network between cubes and surrounding H₂O molecules, the newly synthesized In‐Cr‐MOPs exhibit an exceptionally high proton conductivity (up to 5.8×10^?2 S cm^?1 at 22.5 °C and 98 % relative humidity, single crystal).     

Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Frameworks (HOFs): A New Class of Porous Crystalline Proton‐Conducting Materials

Two porous hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) based on arene sulfonates and guanidinium ions are reported. As a result of the presence of ionic backbones appended with protonic source, the compounds exhibit ultra‐high proton conduction values (σ) 0.75× 10^?2 S cm^?1 and 1.8×10^?2 S cm^?1 under humidified conditions. Also, they have very low activation energy values and the highest proton conductivity at ambient conditions (low humidity and at moderate temperature) among porous crystalline materials, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). These values are not only comparable to the conventionally used proton exchange membranes, such as Nafion used in fuel cell technologies, but is also the highest value reported in organic‐based porous architectures. Notably, this report inaugurates the usage of crystalline hydrogen‐bonded porous organic frameworks as solid‐state proton conducting materials.     

Crystal Structures and Proton Conductivities of a MOF and Two POM–MOF Composites Based on CuII Ions and 2,2′‐Bipyridyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylic Acid

We have succeeded in constructing a metal–organic framework (MOF), [Cu(bpdc)(H₂O)₂]_n (H₂bpdc=2,2′‐bipyridyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylic acid, 1 ), and two poly‐POM–MOFs (POM=polyoxometalate), {H[Cu(Hbpdc)(H₂O)₂]₂[PM₁₂O₄₀] ? n H₂O}_n (M=Mo for 2 , W for 3 ), by the controllable self‐assembly of H₂bpdc, Keggin‐anions, and Cu²⁺ ions based on electrostatic and coordination interactions. Notably, these three compounds all crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, and the Hbpdc^? and bpdc^2? ions have the same coordination mode. Interestingly, in compounds 2 and 3 , Hbpdc^? and the Keggin‐anion are covalently linked to the transition metal copper at the same time as polydentate organic ligand and as polydentate inorganic ligand, respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 represent new and rare examples of introducing the metal N‐heterocyclic multi‐carboxylic acid frameworks into POMs, thereby, opening a pathway for the design and the synthesis of multifunctional hybrid materials based on two building units. The Keggin‐anions being immobilized as part of the metal N‐heterocyclic multi‐carboxylic acid frameworks not only enhance the thermal stability of compounds 2 and 3 , but also introduce functionality inside their structures, thereby, realizing four approaches in the 1D hydrophilic channel used to engender proton conductivity in MOFs for the first time. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit good proton conductivity (10^?4 to ca. 10^?3 S cm^?1) at 100 °C in the relative humidity range 35 to about 98 %.     

Computational studies on electron and proton transfer in phenol‐imidazole‐base triads

The electron and proton transfer in phenol‐imidazole‐base systems (base = NH₂^? or OH^?) were investigated by density‐functional theory calculations. In particular, the role of bridge imidazole on the electron and proton transfer was discussed in comparison with the phenol‐base systems (base = imidazole, H₂O, NH₃, OH^?, and NH₂^?). In the gas phase phenol‐imidazole‐base system, the hydrogen bonding between the phenol and the imidazole is classified as short strong hydrogen bonding, whereas that between the imidazole and the base is a conventional hydrogen bonding. The n value in spⁿ hybridization of the oxygen and carbon atoms of the phenolic CO sigma bond was found to be closely related to the CO bond length. From the potential energy surfaces without and with zero point energy correction, it can be concluded that the separated electron and proton transfer mechanism is suitable for the gas‐phase phenol‐imidazole‐base triads, in which the low‐barrier hydrogen bond is found and the delocalized phenolic proton can move freely in the single‐well potential. For the gas‐phase oxidized systems and all of the triads in water solvent, the homogeneous proton‐coupled electron transfer mechanism prevails. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Polycarboxylate‐Templated Coordination Polymers: Role of Templates for Superprotonic Conductivities of up to 10−1 S cm−1

Three coordination polymers (CPs) have been synthesized based on a [Co(bpy)(H₂O)₄]²⁺ chain (bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) by a template approach. The frameworks are neutralized by different templated polycarboxylate anions (furan di‐carboxylate (fdc) in Co‐fdc, benzene tri‐carboxylate (btc) in Co‐tri and benzene tetra‐carboxylate (btec) in Co‐tetra). These templates with different degrees of protonation and ionic carrier concentration played significant role on crystal packing as well as formation of well‐directed H‐bonded networks which made these CPs perform well in proton conduction (PC). The PC value reaches to 1.49×10^?1 S cm^?1 under 80 °C and 98 % relative humidity (R.H.) for Co‐tri, which is the highest among CPs/MOFs/COFs and is an example of conductivity in the order of 10^?1 S cm^?1. Co‐tri and Co‐tetra are excellent proton conductors at mild temperature (40 °C) and 98 % R.H. (conductivities up to 2.92×10^?2 and 1.38×10^?2 S cm^?1, respectively).     

Exploring Reversible Quenching of Fluorescence from a Pyrazolo[3,4‐b]quinoline Derivative by Protonation

Pyrazolo[3,4‐b]quinoline derivatives are reported to be highly efficient organic fluorescent materials suitable for applications in light‐emitting devices. Although their fluorescence remains stable in organic solvents or in aqueous solution even in the presence of H₂O, halide salts (LiCl), alkali (NaOH) and weak acid (acetic acid), it suffers an efficient quenching process in the presence of protic acid (HCl) in aqueous or ethanolic solution. This quenching process is accompanied by a change in the UV spectrum, but it is reversible and can be fully recovered. Both steady‐state and transient fluorescence spectra of 1‐phenyl‐3,4‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazolo‐[3,4‐b]quinoline (PAQ5) during quenching are measured and analyzed. It is found that a combined dynamic and static quenching mechanism is responsible for the quenching processes. The ground‐state proton‐transfer complex [PAQ5 ??? H⁺] is responsible for static quenching. It changes linearly with proton concentration [H⁺] with a bimolecular association constant K_S=1.95 M ^?1 controlled by the equilibrium dissociation of HCl in ethanol. A dynamic quenching constant K_D=22.4 M ^?1 is obtained by fitting to the Stern–Volmer equation, with a bimolecular dynamic quenching rate constant k_d=1.03×10⁹ s^?1 M ^?1 under ambient conditions. A change in electron distribution is simulated and explains the experiment results.     

Potentiometric Sensing of Aspirin Metabolite in Human Plasma and Pharmaceutical Preparations Using Co(III)‐complex Based Electrodes: Experimental and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Three novel poly vinyl chloride (PVC) ( A ), carbon paste (CP) ( B ), and coated glassy carbon‐MWCNT (CGC) ( C ) salicylate (sal^?) sensors based on new synthesized [Co(L^2Cl)Cl₃(H₂O)] ? H₂O complex (L^2Cl=(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N‐(2‐chloro‐phenyl)‐ amine)), o‐nitrophenyloctyl ether as a mediator and tridodecylmethylammonium chloride as a cationic additive were successfully used for determination of sal^? in human plasma and pharmaceutical formulations. The sal^?‐sensors exhibited enhanced sensitivity with slope of ?63.5, ?60.5 and ?58.9 mV/decade and detection limit of 1.0×10^?5, 4.0×10^?7, and 1.0×10^?6 mol L^?1 for A – C sensors respectively. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out by HF and DFT/B3LYP methods to explore and investigate the interaction between the receptor and the different anions. The intermolecular H‐bond created between the uncoordinated C?O of salicylate group and the secondary amino group in the complex is the key factor of the selectivity of the proposed sensor. A linear relation is established between the natural charge on the Co center and the value of the binding energy, where the decrease in positive charge is associated by an increase in the anion binding energy.     

Can the Theoretical Fitting of the Proton‐Nuclear‐Magnetic‐Relaxation‐Dispersion (Proton NMRD) Curves of Paramagnetic Complexes Be Improved by Independent Measurement of Their Self‐Diffusion Coefficients?

The self‐diffusion (D_c) coefficients of various lanthanum(III) diamagnetic analogues of open‐chain and macrocyclic complexes of gadolinium used as MRI contrast agents were determined in dilute aqueous solutions (3–31 mM ) by pulsed‐field‐gradient (PFG) high‐resolution ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The self‐diffusion coefficient of H₂O (D_w) was obtained for the same samples to derive the relative diffusion constant, a parameter involved in the outersphere paramagnetic‐relaxation mechanism. The results agree with an averaged relative diffusion constant of 2.5 (±0.1)×10^?9 and of 3.3 (±0.1)×10^?9 m² s^?1 at 25 and 37°, respectively, for 'small' contrast agents (M_r 500–750 g/mol), and with the value of bulk H₂O (2.2×10^?9 and 2.9×10^?9 m² s^?1 at 25° and at 37°, respectively) for larger complexes. The use of the measured values of D_c for the theoretical fitting of proton NMRD curves of gadolinium complexes shows that the rotational correlation times (τ_R) are very close to those already reported. However, differences in the electronic relaxation time (τ_SO) at very low field and in the correlation time (τ_V) related to electronic relaxation were found.     

Effects of mixed aqueous‐organic solvents on the rate of intramolecular carboxylic group‐catalyzed cleavage of N‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)phthalamic acid

Kinetic study on the cleavage of N‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)phthalamic acid (NMPPAH) in mixed H₂O‐CH₃CN and H₂O‐1,4‐dioxan solvents containing 0.05 M HCl reveals the formation of phthalic anhydride (PAn)/phthalic acid (PA) as the sole or major product. Pseudo first‐order rate constants (k₁) for the conversion of NMPPAH to PAn decrease nonlinearly from 60.4 × 10^?5 to 2.64 × 10^?5 s^?1 with the increase in the contents of 1,4‐dioxan from 10 to 80% v/v in mixed aqueous solvents. The rate of cleavage of NMPPAH in mixed H₂O‐CH₃CN solvents at ≥50% v/v CH₃CN follows an irreversible consecutive reaction path: NMPPAH PA. The values of k₁ are larger in H₂O‐CH₃CN than in H₂O‐1,4‐dioxan solvents. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 316–325, 2004     

Lanthanide‐Based Layer‐Type Two‐Dimensional Coordination Polymers Featuring Slow Magnetic Relaxation,Magnetocaloric Effect and Proton Conductivity

Three lanthanide‐based two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymers (CPs), [Ln(L)(H₂O)₂]_n, {H₃L=(HO)₂P(O)CH₂CO₂H; Ln=Dy³⁺ (CP 1 ), Er³⁺ (CP 2 )} and [{Gd₂(L)₂(H₂O)₃}^.H₂O]_n, (CP 3 ) were hydrothermally synthesized using phosphonoacetic acid as a linker. Structural features revealed that the dinuclear Ln³⁺ nodes were present in the 2D sheet of CP 1 and CP 2 while in the case of CP 3 , nodes were further connected to each other forming a chain‐type arrangement throughout the network. The magnetic studies show field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation property in CP 1 and CP 2 with U_eff values of 72 K (relaxation time, τ₀=3.05×10^?7 s) and 38.42 K (relaxation time, τ₀=4.60×10^?8 s) respectively. Ab‐initio calculations suggest that the g tensor of Kramers doublet of the lanthanide ion (Dy³⁺ and Er³⁺) is strongly axial in nature which reflects in the slow magnetic relaxation behavior of both CPs. CP 3 exhibits a significant magnetocaloric effect with ?ΔS_m=49.29 J kg^?1 K^?1, one of the highest value among the reported 2D CPs. Moreover, impedance analysis of all the CPs show high proton conductivity with values of 1.13×10^?6 S cm^?1, 2.73×10^?3 S cm^?1 and 2, 6.27×10^?6 S cm^?1 for CPs 1 – 3 , respectively, at high temperature (>75 °C) and maximum 95 % relative humidity (RH).     

Proton‐Conducting Magnetic Coordination Polymers

Three isostructural lanthanide‐based two‐ dimensional coordination polymers (CPs) {[Ln₂(L)₃(H₂O)₂]_n ? 2n CH₃OH) ? 2n H₂O} (Ln=Gd³⁺ ( 1 ), Tb³⁺ ( 2 ), Dy³⁺ ( 3 ); H₂L=cyclobutane‐1,1‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized by using a low molecular weight dicarboxylate ligand and characterized. Single‐crystal structure analysis showed that in complexes 1 – 3 lanthanide centers are connected by μ₃‐bridging cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands along the c axis to form a rod‐shaped infinite 1D coordination chain, which is further linked with nearby chains by μ₄‐connected cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands to form 2D CPs in the bc plane. Viewing the packing of the complexes down the b axis reveals that the lattice methanol molecules are located in the interlayer space between the adjacent 2D layers and form H‐bonds with lattice and coordinated water molecules to form 1D chains. Magnetic properties of complexes 1 – 3 were thoroughly investigated. Complex 1 exhibits dominant ferromagnetic interaction between two nearby gadolinium centers and also acts as a cryogenic magnetic refrigerant having a significant magnetic entropy change of ?ΔS_m=32.8 J kg^?1 K^?1 for ΔH=7 T at 4 K (calculated from isothermal magnetization data). Complex 3 shows slow relaxation of magnetization below 10 K. Impedance analysis revealed that the complexes show humidity‐dependent proton conductivity (σ=1.5×10^?5 S cm^?1 for 1 , σ=2.07×10^?4 S cm^?1 for 2 , and σ=1.1×10^?3 S cm^?1 for 3 ) at elevated temperature (>75 °C). They retain the conductivity for up to 10 h at high temperature and high humidity. Furthermore, the proton conductivity results were correlated with the number of water molecules from the water‐vapor adsorption measurements. Water‐vapor adsorption studies showed hysteretic and two‐step water vapor adsorption (182000 μL g^?1 for 1 , 184000 μL g^?1 for 2 , and 1874000 μL g^?1 for 3 ) in the experimental pressure range. Simulation of water‐vapor adsorption by the Monte Carlo method (for 1 ) confirmed the high density of adsorbed water molecules, preferentially in the interlayer space between the 2D layers.     

A New Amperometric Biosensor Based on HRP/Nano-Au/L-Cysteine/Poly（o-Aminobenzoic acid）-Membrane-Modified Platinum Electrode for the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide

The third generation amperometric biosensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） has been described. For the fabrication of biosensor, o-aminobenzoic acid （oABA） was first electropolymerized on the surface of platinum （Pt） electrode as an electrostatic repulsion layer to reject interferences. Horseradish peroxidase （HRP） absorbed by nano-scaled particulate gold （nano-Au） was immobilized on the electrode modified with polymerized o-aminobenzoic acid （poABA） with L-cysteine as a linker to prepare a biosensor for the detection of H2O2. Amperometric detection of H2O2 was realized at a potential of ＋20 mV versus SCE. The resulting biosensor exhibited fast response, excellent reproducibility and sensibility, expanded linear range and low interferences. Temperature and pH dependence and stability of the sensor were investigated. The optimal sensor gave a linear response in the range of 2.99×10^-6 to 3.55×10^-3 mol·L^-1 to H2O2 with a sensibility of 0.0177 A·L^-1·mol^-1 and a detection limit （S/N = 3） of 4.3×10^-7 mol·L^-1. The biosensor demonstrated a 95% response within less than 10 s.     

Chloro­(hist­amine)(1,10‐phenanthro­line)copper(II) chloride monohydrate

In the cationic complex present in the title compound, chloro­[2‐(4‐imidazolyl‐κN¹)­ethyl­amine‐κN](1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)copper(II) chloride monohydrate, [CuCl(C₅H₉­N₃)­(C₁₂H₈N₂)]Cl·H₂O, the metal centre adopts a five‐coordinate geometry, ligated by the two phenanthroline N atoms, two amine N atoms of the hist­amine ligand (one aliphatic and one from the imidazole ring) and a chloro ligand. The geometry around the Cu atom is a distorted compressed trigonal bipyramid, with one phenanthroline N and one imidazole N atom in the axial positions, and the other phenanthroline N atom, the histamine amine N atom and the chloro ligand in the equatorial positions. The structure includes an uncoordinated water mol­ecule, and a Cl⁻ ion to complete the charge. The water mol­ecule is hydrogen bonded to both Cl⁻ ions (coordinated and uncoordinated), and exhibits a close Cu⋯H contact in the equatorial plane of the bipyramid.     

Guest‐Assisted Proton Conduction in the Sulfonic Mesoporous MIL‐101 MOF

Post‐synthesis modification of MIL‐101(Cr)‐NO₂ was explored in order to decorate the organic backbone by propyl‐sulfonic groups, with the aim to incorporate mobile and acidic protons for solid‐state proton electrolyte applications. The resulting solid switched from insulating towards proton superconductive behavior under humidity, while the conductivity recorded at 363 K and 95 % relative humidity reached 4.8×10^?3 S cm^?1. Propitiously, the impregnation of the material by strong acidic molecules (H₂SO₄) further boosted the proton conductivity performances up to the remarkable σ value of 1.3×10^?1 S cm^?1 at 363 K/95 % RH, which reaches the performances of the best proton conductive MOF reported so far.     

Phosphoric acid‐doped imidazolium ionomers with enhanced stability for anhydrous proton‐exchange membrane applications

Phosphoric acid‐doped crosslinked proton‐conducting membranes with high anhydrous proton conductivity, and good chemical stability in phosphoric acid were synthesized and characterized. The synthetic procedure of the acid‐doped composite membranes mainly involves the in situ crosslinking of polymerizable monomer oils (styrene and acrylonitrile) and vinylimidazole, and followed by the sulfonation of pendant imidazole groups with butanesultone, and further doped with phosphoric acid. The resultant phosphoric acid‐doped composite electrolyte membranes are flexible and show high thermal stability and high‐proton conductivity up to the order of 10^?2 S cm^?1 at 160 °C under anhydrous conditions. The phosphoric acid uptake, swelling degree, and proton conductivity of the composite membranes increase with the vinylimidazole content. The resultant composite membranes also show good oxidative stability in Fenton's reagent (at 70 °C), and quite good chemical stability in phosphoric acid (at 160 °C). The properties of the prepared electrolyte membranes indicate their promising prospects in anhydrous proton‐exchange membrane applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013 , 51, 1311–1317