Anhydrous proton conduction at 150 °C in a crystalline metal-organic framework

Nat Chem. 2009 Dec;1(9):705-10. doi: 10.1038/nchem.402. Epub 2009 Oct 18.

Abstract

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are particularly exciting materials that couple porosity, diversity and crystallinity. But although they have been investigated for a wide range of applications, MOF chemistry focuses almost exclusively on properties intrinsic to the empty frameworks; the use of guest molecules to control functions has been essentially unexamined. Here we report Na(3)(2,4,6-trihydroxy-1,3,5-benzenetrisulfonate) (named β-PCMOF2), a MOF that conducts protons in regular one-dimensional pores lined with sulfonate groups. Proton conduction in β-PCMOF2 was modulated by the controlled loading of 1H-1,2,4-triazole (Tz) guests within the pores and reached 5 × 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 150 °C in anhydrous H(2), as confirmed by electrical measurements in H(2) and D(2), and by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. To confirm its potential as a gas separator membrane, the partially loaded MOF (β-PCMOF2(Tz)(0.45)) was also incorporated into a H(2)/air membrane electrode assembly. The resulting membrane proved to be gas tight, and gave an open circuit voltage of 1.18 V at 100 °C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzenesulfonates / chemistry*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Deuterium / chemistry
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrodes
  • Electrolytes / chemistry
  • Hot Temperature
  • Hydrogen / chemistry
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Porosity
  • Protons*

Substances

  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Electrolytes
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Protons
  • Hydrogen
  • Deuterium