Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2018
Single-crystal superprotonic conductivity in an interpenetrated hydrogen-bonded quadruplex framework
Mu-Yang Zhou1, Hao-Yu Wang1, Zhi-Shuo Wang1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China. zhoudd3@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Researchers developed a novel 3D framework with ultrahigh proton conductivity. This material facilitates efficient proton transport, crucial for fuel cells and biological systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
- Energy Science
Background:
- Proton transport is essential for energy conversion in fuel cells and biological processes.
- Developing advanced materials with high proton conductivity is a key research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel three-dimensional (3D) hydrogen-bonded quadruplex framework.
- To investigate the proton conductivity of the new framework for potential energy applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a novel 5-fold interpenetrated 3D hydrogen-bonded quadruplex framework.
- Single-crystal proton conductivity measurements under high humidity and temperature conditions.
Main Results:
- The framework exhibited an ultrahigh single-crystal proton conductivity of 1.2(1) × 10-2 S cm-1 at 95 °C and 98% relative humidity.
- The high conductivity is attributed to spiral H3O+/H2O chains within 1D pore channels functionalized with COOH/COO- groups.
Conclusions:
- The novel 3D framework demonstrates exceptional proton conductivity.
- This material shows promise for advanced proton-transporting applications, including fuel cells.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Hydrogen Bonds
Hydrogen Bonds Control the World!
Because hydrogen has very weak electronegativity when it binds with a strongly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, electrons in the bond are unequally shared....
Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the...
Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...

