A flexible metal–organic framework with a high density of sulfonic acid sites for proton conduction

Fan Yang, Gang Xu, Yibo Dou, Bin Wang, Heng Zhang, Hui Wu, Wei Zhou, Jian-Rong Li () and Banglin Chen ()
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Fan Yang: Beijing University of Technology
Gang Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yibo Dou: Beijing University of Technology
Bin Wang: Beijing University of Technology
Heng Zhang: Beijing University of Technology
Hui Wu: National Institute of Standards and Technology
Wei Zhou: National Institute of Standards and Technology
Jian-Rong Li: Beijing University of Technology
Banglin Chen: Fujian Normal University

Nature Energy, 2017, vol. 2, issue 11, 877-883

Abstract: Abstract The design of stable electrolyte materials with high proton conductivity for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells remains a challenge. Most of the materials explored have good conductivity at high relative humidity (RH), but significantly decreased conductivity at reduced RH. Here we report a chemically stable and structurally flexible metal–organic framework (MOF), BUT-8(Cr)A, possessing a three-dimensional framework structure with one-dimensional channels, in which high-density sulfonic acid (–SO3H) sites arrange on channel surfaces for proton conduction. We propose that its flexible nature, together with its –SO3H sites, could allow BUT-8(Cr)A to self-adapt its framework under different humid environments to ensure smooth proton conduction pathways mediated by water molecules. Relative to other MOFs, BUT-8(Cr)A not only has a high proton conductivity of 1.27 × 10−1 S cm−1 at 100% RH and 80 °C but also maintains moderately high proton conductivity at a wide range of RH and temperature.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-017-0018-7

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