Synthesis of Phosphovanadate-Based Porous Inorganic Frameworks with High Proton Conductivity

Materials with high proton conductivity have attracted significant attention for their wide-ranging applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. However, the design of new and efficient porous proton-conducting materials remains a challenging task. The structure-controllable and highly stable metal phosphates can be synthesized into layer or frame networks to provide proton transport capabilities. Herein, we have successfully synthesized three isomorphic metal phosphovanadates, namely, H2(C2H10N2)2[MII(H2O)2(VIVO)8(OH)4(PO4)4(HPO4)4] (C2H8N2 = 1,2-ethylenediamine; M = Co, Ni, and Cu), by the hydrothermal method employing ethylenediamine as a template. These pure inorganic open frameworks exhibit a cavity width ranging from 6.4 to 7.5 Å. Remarkably, the proton conductivity of compounds 1-3 can reach 1 × 10-2 S·cm-1 at 85 °C and 97% relative humidity (RH), and they can remain stable at high temperatures as well as long-term stability. This work provides a novel strategy for the development and design of porous proton-conducting materials.

Properties and Applications of Metal Phosphates and Pyrophosphates as Proton Conductors

We review the progress in metal phosphate structural chemistry focused on proton conductivity properties and applications. Attention is paid to structure-property relationships, which ultimately determine the potential use of metal phosphates and derivatives in devices relying on proton conduction. The origin of their conducting properties, including both intrinsic and extrinsic conductivity, is rationalized in terms of distinctive structural features and the presence of specific proton carriers or the factors involved in the formation of extended hydrogen-bond networks. To make the exposition of this large class of proton conductor materials more comprehensive, we group/combine metal phosphates by their metal oxidation state, starting with metal (IV) phosphates and pyrophosphates, considering historical rationales and taking into account the accumulated body of knowledge of these compounds. We highlight the main characteristics of super protonic CsH2PO4, its applicability, as well as the affordance of its composite derivatives. We finish by discussing relevant structure-conducting property correlations for divalent and trivalent metal phosphates. Overall, emphasis is placed on materials exhibiting outstanding properties for applications as electrolyte components or single electrolytes in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells and Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cells.

Amino acid-templated zinc phosphites: low-dimensional structures, fluorescence, and nonlinear optical properties

Two new zinc phosphites were prepared using the amino acid alanine as a structure-directing agent. They have tubular and ladder-like structures, exhibiting blue fluorescence upon UV light irradiation. Notably, the tubular structure is unprecedented in metal phosphite systems. The compound is a nonlinear optically active solid with a second-harmonic generation efficiency of about 1.2 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP).

Pillared-layered indium phosphites templated by amino acids: isoreticular structures, water stability, and fluorescence

Two crystalline open-framework indium phosphites (denoted SCU-31 and SCU-32) were prepared using amino acids as structure-directing agents. They have isoreticular pillared-layered structures built up from 6 × 1 and 4 = 1 clusters. Notably, the two compounds show excellent water stability and exhibit blue fluorescence under UV light irradiation at room temperature. The proton-conducting behaviour of SCU-31 was also investigated.

Proton Conductive Zr-Phosphonate UPG-1-Aminoacid Insertion as Proton Carrier Stabilizer

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are an attractive green technology for energy generation. The poor stability and performances under working conditions of the current electrolytes are their major drawbacks. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have recently emerged as an alternative to overcome these issues. Here, we propose a robust Zr-phosphonate MOF (UPG-1) bearing labile protons able to act a priori as an efficient electrolyte in PEMFCs. Further, in an attempt to further enhance the stability and conductivity of UPG-1, a proton carrier (the amino acid Lysine, Lys) was successfully encapsulated within its porosity. The behaviors of both solids as an electrolyte were investigated by a complete experimental (impedance spectroscopy, water sorption) and computational approach (MonteCarlo, water sorption). Compared with the pristine UPG-1, the newly prepared Lys@UPG-1 composite showed similar proton conductivity but a higher stability, which allows a better cyclability. This improved cyclability is mainly related to the different hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of the Lys@UPG-1 and UPG-1 and the steric protection of the reactive sites of the MOF by the Lys.

Two amino acid-templated metal phosphates: surfactant-thermal synthesis, water stability, and proton conduction

Two new metal phosphates, namely, Zn(HPO₄)(C₆H₁₁NO₂) (1) and (C₅H₁₀NO₂)Ga₄(PO₄)₄F·3H₂O (2), were prepared under surfactant-thermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that compound 1 has a zigzag-chain structure decorated with homoproline and compound 2 has a three-dimensional zeolite-like structure templated by proline. Notably, compound 2 remains stable in both boiling water and aqueous solutions with a pH range of 2-12. It shows a proton conductivity of 8.89 × 10^-4 S cm^-1 at 85 °C and 95% relative humidity.

Centrosymmetric K2SO4·(SbF3)2 and noncentrosymmetric Rb2SO4·(SbF3)2 resulting from cooperative effects of lone pair and cation size

The cooperative effects of the lone pair and cation size were used to tune the symmetry of two stoichiometrically equivalent compounds, A₂SO₄·(SbF₃)₂ (A = K or Rb).

A water stable layered Tb(iii) polycarboxylate with high proton conductivity over 10−2 S cm−1 in a wide temperature range

An unprecedented Tb(iii) polycarboxylate, {[Tb₄(TTHA)₂(H₂O)₄]·7H₂O}_n (1), has been synthesized.

Two novel organic phosphorous-based MOFs: synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties

Two novel coordination polymers were fabricated as efficient, stable, and reusable photocatalysts for the degradation of MB dye and the reduction of Cr(vi) aqueous solution.

High proton conductivity behavior in a 2D metal sulfite constructed from a histidine ligand

In the presence of the amino acid histidine, an inorganic–organic hybrid metal sulfite, Zn₂(SO₃)₂(C₆N₃O₂H₉)₂·H₂O (1), has been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1 shows a 2D layer framework built up from a classical second building unit (S4R), and bridged histidine molecule. Notably, it is the first report of a metal sulfite in the presence of an amino acid molecule. A 1D H-bonding array can be constructed by the H-bonding interaction between histidine molecules and sulfite groups. Moreover, a new function of metal sulfite for proton conduction was investigated by alternating-current impedance analysis. The results demonstrate that compound 1 shows a high proton conductivity of approximately 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 348 K and 98% relative humidity.

In the presence of the amino acid histidine, an inorganic–organic hybrid metal sulfite (compound 1), has been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Compound 1 shows a high proton conductivity of, approximately 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 348 K and 98% RH.

Solvent-free synthesis and room temperature proton conductivity of new cobalt phosphite–oxalates

Two new cobalt phosphite–oxalates (1 and 2) have been synthesized under solvent-free conditions. Compound 2 possesses room temperature proton conductivity.

Cation-tuned synthesis of the A2SO4·SbF3 (A = Na+, NH4+, K+, Rb+) family with nonlinear optical properties

Four stoichiometrically equivalent compounds have been successfully synthesized through A⁺ cations by tuning the framework structures and macroscopic centricities.

Water stable oxalate-based coordination polymers with in situ generated cyclic dipeptides showing high proton conductivity

Presented here are two water stable oxalate-based coordination polymers with in situ generated cyclic dipeptides, which show high proton conductivities on the order of 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 85 °C under 98% relative humidity.