Molecular modeling of the short-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid membrane

Presented here is a first principles based molecular modeling investigation of the possible role of the side chain in effecting proton transfer in the short-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid fuel cell membrane under minimal hydration conditions. Extensive searches for the global minimum energy structures of fragments of the polymer having two pendant side chains of distinct separation (with chemical formula: CF(3)CF(O(CF(2))(2)SO(3)H)(CF(2))(n)CF(O(CF(2))(2)SO(3)H)CF(3), where n = 5, 7, and 9) with and without explicit water molecules have shown that the side chain separation influences both the extent and nature of the hydrogen bonding between the terminal sulfonic acid groups and the number of water molecules required to transfer the proton to the water molecules of the first hydration shell. Specifically, we have found that fully optimized structures at the B3LYP/6-311G** level revealed that the number of water molecules needed to connect the sulfonic acid groups scaled as a function of the number of fluoromethylene groups in the backbone, with one, two, and three water molecules required to connect the sulfonic acid groups in fragments with n = 5, 7, and 9, respectively. With the addition of explicit water molecules to each of the polymeric fragments, we found that the minimum number of water molecules required to effect proton transfer also increases as the number of separating tetrafluoroethylene units in the backbone is increased. Furthermore, calculation of water binding energies on CP-corrected potential energy surfaces showed that the water molecules bound more strongly after proton dissociation had occurred from the terminal sulfonic acid groups independent of the degree of separation of the side chains. Our calculations provide a baseline for molecular results that can be used to assess the impact of changes of polymer chemistry on proton conduction, including the side chain length and acidic functional group.     

Clusters of hydrated methane sulfonic acid CH3SO3H.(H2O)n (n = 1-5): a theoretical study

Ab initio and density functional methods have been used to examine the structures and energetics of the hydrated clusters of methane sulfonic acid (MSA), CH3SO3H.(H2O)n (n = 1-5). For small clusters with one or two water molecules, the most stable clusters have strong cyclic hydrogen bonds between the proton of OH group in MSA and the water molecules. With three or more water molecules, the proton transfer from MSA to water becomes possible, forming ion-pair structures between CH3SO3- and H3O+ moieties. For MSA.(H2O)3, the energy difference between the most stable ion pair and neutral structures are less than 1 kJ/mol, thus coexistence of neutral and ion-pair isomers are expected. For larger clusters with four and five water molecules, the ion-pair isomers are more stable (>10 kJ/mol) than the neutral ones; thus, proton transfer takes place. The ion-pair clusters can have direct hydrogen bond between CH3SO3- and H3O+ or indirect one through water molecule. For MSA.(H2O)5, the energy difference between ion pairs with direct and indirect hydrogen bonds are less than 1 kJ/mol; namely, the charge separation and acid ionization is energetically possible. The calculated IR spectra of stable isomers of MSA.(H2O)n clusters clearly demonstrate the significant red shift of OH stretching of MSA and hydrogen-bonded OH stretching of water molecules as the size of cluster increases.     

Atomistic simulation of nafion membrane. 2. Dynamics of water molecules and hydronium ions

We have performed a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of water molecules and hydronium ions in hydrated Nafion using classical molecular dynamics simulations with the DREIDING force field. In addition to calculating diffusion coefficients as a function of hydration level, we have also determined mean residence time of H(2)O molecules and H(3)O(+) ions in the first solvation shell of SO(3)(-) groups. The diffusion coefficient of H(2)O molecules increases with increasing hydration level and is in good agreement with experiment. The mean residence time of H(2)O molecules decreases with increasing membrane hydration from 1 ns at a low hydration level to 75 ps at the highest hydration level studied. These dynamical changes are related to the changes in membrane nanostructure reported in the first part of this work. Our results provide insights into slow proton dynamics observed in neutron scattering experiments and are consistent with the Gebel model of Nafion structure.     

Molecular modeling of proton transport in the short-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer

An explanation for the superior proton conductivity of low equivalent weight (EW) short-side-chain (SSC) perfluorosulfonic acid membranes is pursued through the determination of hydrated morphology and hydronium ion diffusion coefficients using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A unique force field set for the SSC ionomer was derived from torsion profiles determined from ab initio electronic structure calculations of an oligomeric fragment consisting of two side chains. MD simulations were performed on a system consisting of a single macromolecule of the polymer (EW of 580) with the general formula F3C-[CF(OCF2CF2SO3H)-(CF2)7]40-CF3 at hydration levels corresponding to 3, 6, and 13 water molecules per sulfonic acid group. Examination of the hydrated morphology indicates the formation of hydrogen bond "bridges" between distant sulfonate groups without significant bending of the polytetrafluoroethylene backbone. Pair correlation functions of the system identify the presence of ion cages consisting of hydronium ions hydrogen-bonded to three sulfonate groups at the lowest water content. Such structures exhibit very low S-OH3+ separations, well below 4 A and severely inhibit vehicular diffusion of the protons. The number of sulfonate groups in the first solvation shell of a given hydronium ion correlates well with the differences between Nafion and the SSC polymer (Hyflon). The calculated hydronium ion diffusion coefficients of 2.84 x 10-7, 1.36 x 10-6, and 3.47 x 10-6 cm2/s for water contents of 3, 6, and 13, respectively, show only good agreement to experimentally measured values at the lowest water content, underscoring the increasing contribution of proton shuttling or hopping at the higher hydration levels. At the highest water content, the vehicular diffusion accounts for only about 1/5 of the total proton transport similar to that observed in Nafion.     

First-principles study on proton dissociation properties of fluorocarbon- and hydrocarbon-based membranes in low humidity conditions

We present a theoretical study on the proton dissociation properties of the membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. A density functional theory method is used to study the influence of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon backbones on proton dissociation, the interaction of water molecules with the sulfonic acid group, and the energy barriers for proton dissociation. Better proton dissociation properties of CH(3)SO(3)H compared to CF(3)SO(3)H are observed from statistical analyses of the optimized structures for both systems. However, the calculated energy barriers for proton dissociation are lower for CF(3)SO(3)H than for the CH(3)SO(3)H system. At the same time, the interaction of water molecules is stronger for CH(3)SO(3)H than for CF(3)SO(3)H. Also, the analysis of the hydrogen-bonding network in both systems shows that the number of hydrogen bonds formed around the sulfonic acid group in CH(3)SO(3)H is larger than that in CF(3)SO(3)H. Therefore, the decrease of the energy barrier with increasing number of coordinating water molecules, pronounced in the case of CH(3)SO(3)H, may lower the barrier, which enhances good proton conductivity of a hydrocarbon-based polymer in low humidity conditions. Thus the hydration ability of a sulfonic acid group is an important factor for realizing better proton dissociation in low humidity conditions.     

Proton mobility in hydrated sulfonated polystyrene: NMR and impedance studies

Different ionomers were obtained by sulfonation of a commercial polystyrene (PS), using acetyl sulfate as reagent. The sulfonation was assessed by FTIR and XPS spectroscopies and the thermal and mechanical properties were deduced from DMA measurements. The acid form of the ionomers was characterized by means of ¹H and ¹³C MAS-NMR spectroscopies. Polymer hydration under controlled humidity atmosphere was analyzed by gravimetric, NMR and complex impedance techniques. In the hydrated state, two stages associated with formation of hydronium (H₃O⁺) species and proton hopping between adsorbed water molecules were deduced from NMR data. Both processes are responsible for important changes detected in mechanical properties and conductivity of sulfonated polymers during hydration processes.     

A comparative ab initio study of the primary hydration and proton dissociation of various imide and sulfonic acid ionomers

We compare the role of neighboring group substitutions on proton dissociation of hydrated acidic moieties suitable for proton exchange membranes through electronic structure calculations. Three pairs of ionomers containing similar electron withdrawing groups within the pair were chosen for the study: two fully fluorinated sulfonyl imides (CF(3)SO(2)NHSO(2)CF(3) and CF(3)CF(2)SO(2)NHSO(2)CF(3)), two partially fluorinated sulfonyl imides (CH(3)SO(2)NHSO(2)CF(3) and C(6)H(5)SO(2)NHSO(2)CF(2)CF(3)), and two aromatic sulfonic acid based materials (CH(3)C(6)H(4)SO(3)H and CH(3)OC(6)H(3)OCH(3)C(6)H(4)SO(3)H). Fully optimized counterpoise (CP) corrected geometries were obtained for each ionomer fragment with the inclusion of water molecules at the B3LYP/6-311G** level of density functional theory. Spontaneous proton dissociation was observed upon addition of three water molecules in each system, and the transition to a solvent-separated ion pair occurred when four water molecules were introduced. No considerable quantitative or qualitative differences in proton dissociation, hydrogen bond networks formed, or water binding energies were found between systems containing similar electron withdrawing groups. Each of the sulfonyl imide ionomers exhibited qualitatively similar results regarding proton dissociation and separation. The fully fluorinated sulfonyl imides, however, showed a greater propensity to exist in dissociated and ion-pair separated states at low degrees of hydration than the partially fluorinated sulfonyl imides. This effect is due to the additional electron withdrawing groups providing charge stabilization as the dissociated proton migrates away from the imide anion.     

Photoreduction of 4,4'-bipyridine by amines in acetonitrile-water mixtures: influence of H-bonding on the ion-pair structure and dynamics

The photoreduction of 4,4'-bipyridine (44BPY) by diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and triethylamine (TEA) is investigated by using picosecond transient absorption and time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy in various acetonitrile-water mixtures. The results are interpreted on the basis of a preferential solvation effect resulting from the presence of a specific interaction between 44BPY and water by hydrogen bonding. Below 10% water, the free 44BPY species is dominant and leads upon photoreduction to a contact ion pair that undergoes efficient intrapair proton transfer if TEA is the amine donor. Above 10% water, most of the 44BPY population is H-bonded and leads upon photoreduction to a hydrated ion pair in which the intrapair proton transfer is inhibited. Instead, the 44BPY(-*) species is protonated by water through the hydrogen bond with a rate constant that increases by more than 3 orders of magnitude on going from 10% to 100% water. The dependence of this rate constant on the solvent mixture composition suggests that the reaction of intracomplex proton transfer is controlled by the hydration of the residual OH(-) species by three molecules of water, leading to a trihydrated HO(-)(H(2)O)(3) species.     

Proton hydration in aqueous solution: Fourier transform infrared studies of HDO spectra

This paper attempts to elucidate the number and nature of the hydration spheres around the proton in an aqueous solution. This phenomenon was studied in aqueous solutions of selected acids by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of semiheavy water (HDO), isotopically diluted in H(2)O. The quantitative version of difference spectrum procedure was applied for the first time to investigate such systems. It allowed removal of bulk water contribution and separation of the spectra of solute-affected HDO. The obtained spectral data were confronted with ab initio calculated structures of small gas-phase and polarizable continuum model (PCM) solvated aqueous clusters, H+(H2O)n, n=2-8, in order to help in establishing the structural and energetic states of the consecutive hydration spheres of the hydrated proton. This was achieved by comparison of the calculated optimal geometries with the interatomic distances derived from HDO band positions. The structure of proton hydration shells outside the first hydration sphere essentially follows the model structure of other hydrated cations, previously revealed by affected HDO spectra. The first hydration sphere complex in diluted aqueous solutions was identified as an asymmetric variant of the regular Zundel cation [The Hydrogen Bond: Recent Developments in Theory and Experiments, edited by P. Schuster, G. Zundel, and C. Sandorfy (North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1976), Vol. II, p. 683], intermediate between the ideal Zundel and Eigen structures [E. Wicke et al., Z. Phys. Chem. Neue Folge 1, 340 (1954)]. Evidence was found for the existence of strong and short hydrogen bonds, with oxygen-oxygen distance derived from the experimental affected spectra equal 2.435 A on average and in the PCM calculations about 2.41-2.44 A. It was also evidenced for the first time that the proton possesses four well-defined hydration spheres, which were characterized in terms of hydrogen bonds' lengths and arrangements. Additionally, an outer hydration layer, shared with the anion, as well as loosely bound water molecules interacting with free electron pairs of the central complex were detected in the affected spectra.     

Complexes of the proton and its hydrates with carbamoylphosphine oxide in wet dichloroethane solutions

To better understand the complex equilibria involved in the UNEX process for acidic solvent extraction of radionuclides, the interaction of a carbamoylphosphine oxide ligand (L) with the proton of hydrated chlorinated cobalt(III)dicarbollide acid, H[Co(C2B9H8Cl3)2], has been studied in wet 1,2-dichlorethane (DCE) solution using IR and NMR (13C and 31P) spectroscopy. The formation of two groups of complexes has been determined. The first group contains three complexes with 1:1 composition of acid to ligand (Scheme 1). The second group of complexes has 1:2 composition in the equilibrium, shown in Scheme 2. Within each group, the complexes differ in composition only by the number of incorporated water molecules. The equilibria (Schemes 1 and 2) are both very sensitive to the content of self-associated water in solution and are driven by its concentration, which is unsteady and depends on the solution preparation history. The simultaneous presence of both anhydrous (I, II) and hydrated (III, IIIa, IV) proton solvates indicates that the enthalpies of carbamoylphosphine oxide complex formation with H+, H3O+, and H5O2(+) are very close to each other.     

Water mediated proton transfer in a mesostructured aluminosilicate framework: an ab initio molecular dynamics study

The proton transfer process mediated by water molecules adsorbed in an aluminosilicate framework has been studied using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. This investigation has been carried out using a quasi-one-dimensional model simulating the mesoporous aluminosilicate channel structures. The effects of both the water loading and temperature of the system have been considered. At low coverage (one water molecule per acid site), the hydroxonium ion (H(3)O)(+) is found to be a transition state, in agreement with earlier studies on zeolites. At a higher water coverage (two water molecules per acid site), the (H(5)O(2))(+) species and the hydrogen bonded "neutral complex" structure are both found to be stable complexes at finite temperatures. The vibrational frequency spectrum is simulated by performing a Fourier transform of the velocity autocorrelation function (VAF), and the peak positions in the VAF are compared with IR measurements and zero-temperature calculations.     

Mechanistic study of the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction on Pt(111) using density functional theory

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to study the electrolyte solution effects on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on Pt(111). To model the acid electrolyte, an H(5)O(2)(+) cluster was used. The vibrational proton oscillation modes for adsorbed H(5)O(2)(+) computed at 1711 and 1010 cm(-1), in addition to OH stretching and H(2)O scissoring modes, agree with experimental vibrational spectra for proton formation on Pt surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum. Using the H(5)O(2)(+) model, protonation of adsorbed species was found to be facile and consistent with the activation barrier of proton transfer in solution. After protonation, OOH dissociates with an activation barrier of 0.22 eV, similar to the barrier for O(2) dissociation. Comparison of the two pathways suggests that O(2) protonation precedes dissociation in the oxygen reduction reaction. Additionally, an OH diffusion step following O protonation inhibits the reaction, which may lead to accumulation of oxygen on the electrode surface.     

Methyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-Amyl Ether Synthesis Catalyzed by a Sulfonic Cation Exchanger: The Effect of the Degree of Hydration of the Cation Exchanger on the Catalytic Activity and Reaction Mechanism

The catalytic properties of the fibrous sulfonic acid cation exchanger FIBAN K-1 in methyl tert-amyl ether synthesis are studied as a function of its water content. Reducing the degree of hydration of the cation exchanger to <2 H₂O molecules per SO₃H group diminishes the proportion of the desired product in the catalysate. According to ¹³C NMR data, protonation of methylbutenes in the air-dry cation exchanger phase (which contains 4 H₂O molecules per SO₃H group) involves [nH₂O] ⋅ H⁺ species and is accompanied by olefin hydration and the formation of protonated tert-amyl alcohol.__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 4, 2005, pp. 536–542.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Egiazarov, Soldatov, Tychinskaya, Shachenkova, Cherches, Ermolenko.     

基于DFT计算的Pt(111)表面氧覆盖度和水合质子模型对氧还原反应路径的影响(英文)

利用基于平面波的密度泛函理论（DFT）计算研究了氧气分子在Pt(111)表面的吸附和解离,以及解离产物进一步质子化形成H₂O的过程. 通过使用不同尺寸的平板模型和在表面预吸附不同数量的氧原子,研究了氧覆盖度对氧还原反应（ORR）路径的影响,并对使用不同水合质子模型的计算结果进行了比较. 研究结果表明： 质子化的end-on化学吸附态OOH*的形成是ORR的初始步骤;OOH*能够转化形成非质子化的top-bridge-top化学吸附态O₂*,或者解离形成吸附的O*物种. 对不同氧覆盖度下各种可能步骤的活化能计算结果表明,O*的质子化形成OH*物种是ORR的速决步骤. 增加氧覆盖度时,该步骤的活化能减少. 此外,还发现使用比H₇O₃⁺更复杂的水合质子模型不会改变计算所得的反应路径.     

红外光谱法研究磺化间规聚苯乙烯离聚物离子间相互作用

采用红外光谱法研究了不同金属阳离子及水合作用对磺化间规聚苯乙烯 (SsPS)离聚物阴、阳离子间相互作用的影响 .实验结果表明 :离间相互作用的强弱可通过红外光谱表现出来 ,SsPS离聚物中磺酸根阴离子 (SO-3 )的红外吸收谱带与金属阳离子的性质及离聚物所处的环境有关 .在干燥状态下 ,SsPS离聚物中磺酸根阴离子 (SO-3 )由于受到金属阳离子静电场作用的影响 ,S—O键被极化而使其对称伸缩振动和不对称伸缩振动吸收峰移向高波数 ,移动的幅度与金属阳离子的性质有关 .离聚物吸水后 ,由于水合作用的影响 ,金属阳离子的极化作用减弱 ,因而使S—O键相应的对称伸缩振动和不对称伸缩振动吸收谱带移向低波数 .对于未中和的磺化间规聚苯乙烯 (SsPS H)样品 ,水合作用会使磺酸基团部分离解 ,产生磺酸根阴离子 (SO-3 ) .在干燥状态下 ,磺酸基团仍以—SO3H形式存在 ,红外谱图上出现—SO3H基团的特征吸收     

NCBBH…HNa(H2O)n和CNBBH…HNa(H2O)n(n=1~5)结构与性质的理论研究

为了探索缺电子B-H键作为质子供体形成双氢键复合物的溶剂化效应,分别采用DFT-B3LYP/6-311++G**和CCSD(T)/6-311++G**方法对NCBBH…HNa和CNBBH…HNa及其水合物NCBBH…HNa(H2O)n和CNBBH…HNa(H2O)n(n=1~5)进行了结构优化和相互作用能计算,并利用AIM(atom in molecule)方法分析了H…H键特征,借助前线分子轨道理论探讨了水合物中双氢键形成H-H共价键的本质。结果表明:随着H2O分子数的增加,B-H键拉长,H…H距离缩短,双氢键由离子型向共价型过渡;当H2O分子数达到4时,双氢键相互作用能和NCBBH…HNa与水分子间的相互作用能分别达到-374.21和-306.50 kJ.mol-1,形成了H-H共价键;缺电子B-H键作为质子供体形成双氢键复合物的水合物析出H2的能力比FH…HLi(H2O)n弱。     

IR investigation of hydrogen bonds in weakly hydrated films of poly(vinyl alcohol)

A system of hydrogen bonds in weakly hydrated PVA films containing up to ≤8.5 wt % water is investigated via IR spectroscopy. It is shown that water molecules bind to only part of the hydroxyl groups of the polymer that are available for hydration and form the first hydrating layer. In a completely dehydrated film, practically every hydroxyl group of PVA forms hydrogen bonds with two other hydroxyl groups and serves as both a proton donor and a proton acceptor. In the hydrated film, one to three water molecules directly bind with one hydroxyl group of PVA.     

Micro volume changes due to Pb(II) and Cu(II) sorption on amorphous Fe(III) hydroxide

Micro volume changes due to Pb(II) and Cu(II) sorption on amorphous Fe(III) hydroxide (AFH) were determined by a dilatometer at pH 4.50. Volume change is attributed to change in hydration status of dissolved and/or suspended substances. The volume of the system increased due to Pb(II) and Cu(II) sorption, suggesting that water molecules hydrated around Pb(II) or Cu(II) ions and AFH were released during sorption. Volume increases due to Pb(II) and Cu(II) sorption were smaller than those due to bulk precipitation of Pb and Cu hydroxides. Precipitation of Pb(II) and Cu(II) was not likely to occur at pH 4.50 in the presence of AFH. In conclusion, Pb(II) and Cu(II) formed an inner-sphere complex on AFH at pH 4.50, keeping hydrated water on the adsorbed species. Adsorbed Cu(II) kept more hydrated water than adsorbed Pb(II) on AFH.     

Adhesion between Silica Particle and Mica Surfaces in Water and Electrolyte Solutions

An atomic force microscope (AFM) is used to study the adhesion between a silica sphere and a mica plate in pure water and solutions of monovalent cations (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, and CsCl). It is found that the adhesive force depends not only on the electrolyte concentration but also on the hydration enthalpy of cations and the contact time of the particle on the surface. Possible mechanisms by which the observed phenomena can be explained consistently are discussed extensively. It is suggested that the adhesive force is closely related to the structure of the layer of cations and water molecules adsorbed on the surfaces: the strong adhesive force is obtained when highly hydrated cations (Li(+), Na(+)) are adsorbed to form a thick but weakly adsorbed layer, while the weak adhesive force is observed when poorly hydrated cations (Cs(+), K(+)) are adsorbed to form a thin but strongly adsorbed layer. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Surface acid-base properties and hydration/dehydration mechanisms of aluminum (hydr)oxides

In this paper, surface physiochemical properties of three typical aluminas, gamma-Al(OH)3, gamma-Al2O3, and alpha-Al2O3, were investigated by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, BET surface area, TG/DTA, and potentiometric titration techniques. Based on the titration data, surface protonation and deprotonation constants were determined using the constant capacitance model (CCM). The emphasis of this research was laid on the comparison of the crystal structure, surface hydration/dehydration and acid-base properties of these three typical alumina minerals. The calculation results revealed that the surface acidity of the aluminas is in the order of alpha-Al2O3>gamma-Al(OH)3>gamma-Al2O3 after being hydrated for 1 h. The correlation between the hydration/dehydration mechanisms of alumina and its acid/base properties is discussed.