Facile crystallization and proton conduction studies on environmentally benign supramolecular metal carboxylate frameworks

Abstract

A great deal of research work is being focused on the rational design and development of solid state proton-conducting materials due to their applications in various fields such as membranes in fuel cells, electrochromic devices, humidity sensors, storage and separation of gases and in other related functional areas. Generally these materials are permeable to protons that are generated in the anodic compartment of the electrochemical device and allow them to migrate towards cathodic side, besides physically separating the electrodes. Traditionally, Nafion based materials are used as solid electrolyte membranes for conventional polymer newlineelectrolyte membrane fuel cells. The main drawbacks of these membranes are their high cost, lower working temperatures, loss of conductivity at low humidity condition, high fuel cross over etc. Such difficulties have lead to the development of alternate proton conducting materials. Nowadays, a lot of modified materials are being developed for proton conducting applications. Recently, Coordination Polymers (CPs) and Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are also identified as alternate proton conducting materials and are extensively researched for their solid state proton transporting characteristics. The advantageous aspects of CPs and MOFs such as possibilities of exploring the solid state structures, well defined pores, relevant hydrogen bonded pathways for efficient proton conduction, wide scope for design have thus fuelled the activities in this domain. Present thesis investigates facile crystallization and characterization of environmentally benign CPs and MOFs involving bio-relevant ligands and examining their proton conducting applications. newline newline