Designing Proton Conducting Metal Organic Frameworks

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs) represent a tunable molecular scaffolding that can be adjusted for a breadth of applications. This presentation will concern our efforts towards tailoring MOFs towards making new proton conductors ultimately for fuel cells. A major hurdle in these technologies is an electrolyte capable of conducting protons above 100°C. Higher operating temperatures will enhance electrode kinetics and decrease electrode poisoning among several critical operational benefits. In contrast to the macromolecular approaches typically employed towards these electrolytes, we have used a MOF strategy to generate crystalline networks with acidic pores. These MOFs present options to address higher temperature conduction,1 conduction over 10-2 Scm-1,2 and water stability.3 The emphasis in the talk will concern routes to designing these systems and subsequent challenges in their characterization.