Cu-MOF@PVP/PVDF hybrid composites as tunable proton-conducting materials

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) is one of the core materials which were widely used in the field of fuel cells (FCs). In recent years, the metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymer composite membranes as tunable proton-conducting materials have showed great potential in this field. Herein, a Cu(II)-based metal organic framework (Cu-MOF) with acid/base stability was introduced into poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/poly(vinylidene fluo-ride) (PVP/PVDF, PP) to fabricate hybrid membranes(Cu-MOF@PP-X, where X is the % Cu-MOF content). The effects of Cu-MOF loading amounts on the conductive behavior of Cu-MOF@PP-X composites have been docu-mented. It is worth noting that Cu-MOF@PP-50 exhibited the proton conductivity up to 4.36 x 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 353 K and 98% relative humidity (RH). In addition, the value of proton conduction is about two orders of magnitude higher than that of the parent Cu-MOF (1.91 x 10(-6) S cm(-1)). This work contributes to driving further advances of MOF/polymer composites in proton-conducting apparatus.

Automated summary

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymer composite membranes have shown great potential as tunable proton-conducting materials in the field of fuel cells (FCs). This study successfully introduced a Cu(II)-based MOF into poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVP/PVDF) to fabricate hybrid membranes. Cu-MOF@PP-50 exhibited significantly higher proton conductivity compared to the parent Cu-MOF.