Proton Conductivity in Doped Aluminum Phosphonate Sponges

Proton-conducting networks (NETs) were prepared successfully by the insertion of phosphonated nanochannels into organic-inorganic hybrid materials that contain Al3+ as the connector and hexakis(p-phosphonatophenyl)benzene (HPB) as the linker. Noncomplexed phosphonic acid groups remain in the framework, which depends on the ratio of both compounds, to yield a proton conductivity in the region of 10(-3)Scm(-1). This conductivity can be further improved and values as high as Nafion, a benchmark proton-exchange membrane for fuel cell applications, can be obtained by filling the network pores with intrinsic proton conductors. As a result of their sponge-like morphology, aluminum phosphonates adsorb conductive small molecules such as phosphonic acids, which results in a very high proton conductivity of approximately 5x10(-2)Scm(-1) at 120 degrees C and 50% relative humidity (RH). Contrary to Nafion, the doped networks show a remarkably low temperature dependence of proton conductivity from external humidification. This effect indicates a transport mechanism that is different to the water vehicle mechanism. Furthermore, the materials exhibit an activation energy of 40kJmol(-1) at 15% RH that starts to diminish to 10kJmol(-1) at 80% RH, which is even smaller than the corresponding values obtained for Nafion117.