A proton conductor displaying high anhydrous proton conductivity (≈10(-2) S cm(-1)) and good performance over a broad temperature range is presented. This hybrid material is produced via doping HCl into open-framework chalcogenide(C2N2H10)(C2N2H9)2 Cu8 Sn3S12, and has cubopolyhedral cavities and multiple channels.

Proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) as separators have important technological applications in electrochemical devices, including fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, electrochemical reactors, and electrochromic displays. The composite membrane of a proton-conducting metal-organic framework (MOF) and an organic polymer combines the unique physical and chemical nature of the polymer and the high proton conductivity of the MOF, bringing together the best of both components to potentially fabricate high-performance PEMs. In this study, we have investigated the proton-transport nature of a zirconium(IV) MOF, MOF-808 (1). This superior-water-stability MOF shows striking proton conductivity with σ = 7.58 × 10 S·cm at 315 K and 99% relative humidity. The composite membranes of 1 and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) have further been fabricated and are labeled as 1@PVDF-X, where X represents the mass percentage of 1 (as X%) in 1@PVDF-X and X = 10-55%. The composite membranes exhibit good mechanical features and durability for practical application and a considerable proton conductivity of 1.56 × 10 S·cm in deionized water at 338 K as well. Thus, the composite membranes show promising applications as alternative PEMs in diverse electrochemical devices.

The inorganic-organic hybrid metal hydrogenophosphate with a formula of (C2H10N2)[Mn2(HPO4)3](H2O) (1) shows layered crystal structure. The inorganic anion layer is built from Mn3O13 cluster units, and the interlayer spaces are filled by the charge-compensated ethylenediammonium dications together with the lattice water molecules. The thermogravimetry, variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction, and the proton conductance under anhydrous and moisture environments were investigated for 1, disclosing that 1 shows high thermal stability and high proton transport nature, and the proton conductivity reaches to 1.64 × 10(-3) S·cm(-1) under 99%RH even at 293 K. The high proton conductivity is related to the formation of denser H-bond networks in the lattice.

Proton-conducting materials show important technological applications as key components in energy conversion, electrochemical sensing and electrochromic devices; the exploration for new types of proton-conducting materials is crucial for the development of efficient electrochemical devices. In this study, we investigated the proton transport nature of an inorganic-organic hybrid crystal of open-framework cobalt phosphate, (CNH)CoPO. The structure of the hybrid crystal consists of the [CoPO] anionic framework, and the proton carriers, Hen cations (en = ethylenediamine), are located in the pores to compensate the negative charges of the inorganic framework. The open-framework is thermally stable up to 653 K (380 °C) at least, and also shows superior water stability. The open-framework exhibits negligible conductance in an anhydrous environment even at 473 K; however, there is evident water-assisted proton conduction. The conductivity reaches 2.05 × 10 S cm at 329 K and 98% RH. Such high proton conductivity can compete with numerous state-of-the-art MOFs/PCPs-based proton conductors, and this material has promising applications in diverse electrochemical devices.