A Metal-Organic Framework Impregnated with a Binary Ionic Liquid for Safe Proton Conduction above 100°C

To develop proton-conducting materials under low-humidity conditions and at moderate working temperature still remains challenging for fuel-cell technology. Here, a new type of proton-conducting material, EIMSHTFSA@ MIL, which was prepared by impregnating the binary ionic liquid, EIMS-HTFSA (EIMS=1-(1-ethyl-3-imidazolium) propane-3-sulfonate; HTFSA=N, N-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide), into a mesoporous metal-organic framework, MIL-101 ([Cr3F(H2O)(2)O(BDC)(3)center dot nH2O] (n approximate to 0.25, BDC=1,4-benzenedicarboxylate)) is reported. By taking advantage of the ionic-liquid properties, such as high thermal stability, non-volatility, non-flammability, and low corrosivity, EIMS-HTFSA@MIL shows potential application as a safe electrolyte in proton conduction above 100 degrees C.