Molecular Complexation of Polymers and Metal Oxide Clusters for Semicrystalline, Thermoplastic Anhydrous Proton Exchange Membranes in Fuel Cells

作者：Zheng, Zhao; Liu, Lu; Li, Mu; Sun, Weigang; Liang, Yuling; Chen, Jiadong; Yang, Junsheng; Zhang, Rongchun^*; Yin, Panchao^*

来源：Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2023, 14(26): 5966-5974.

DOI：10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01319

• ACID
• NANOCOMPOSITES
• CONDUCTIVITY
• CONDUCTORS
• POLYETHERS
• STATE

With the manipulation of surface charges and loadings,1 nm super-acidicmetal oxide clusters can co-crystallize with poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) at molecular scale for thermoplastic anhydrous proton exchangemembranes (PEMs). The coexistence of crystalline and amorphous regionsendows the PEMs with a high Young's modulus and high flexibility,while the noncovalent complex interactions enable facile preparationand (re)processing. Furthermore, the diffusive dynamics of PEG chainsis slowed by the confinement effect, while the local segmental dynamicsis accelerated due to the transition of the chain conformation fromhelix to zigzag when confined in the crystalline framework. This greatlyfacilitates proton transportation in the crystalline region for anexcellent anhydrous proton conductivity of 4.5 x 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 90 & DEG;C. The balanced proton conductivity,mechanical strength, and processability of the PEMs contribute tothe promising power density of H-2/O-2 fuel cellsassembled with co-crystalline PEMs at high temperatures under dryconditions.