Twist and sliding dynamics between interpenetrated frames in Ti-MOF revealing high proton conductivity

Abstract

We report the design and synthesis of a titanium catecholate framework, MOF-217, comprised of 2,4,6-tri(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TDHT) and isolated TiO₆ clusters, with 2-fold interpenetrated srs topology. The dynamics of the organic linker, breaking the C_3h symmetry, allowed for reversible twist and sliding between interpenetrated frames upon temperature change and the inclusion of small molecules. Introduction of 28 wt% imidazole into the pores of MOF-217, 28% Im-in-MOF-217, resulted in four orders of magnitude increase in proton conductivity, due to the appropriate accommodation of imidazole molecules and their proton transfer facilitated by the H-bond to the MOF structure across the pores. This MOF-based proton conductor can be operated at 100 °C with a proton conductivity of 1.1 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹, standing among the best performing anhydrous MOF proton conductors at elevated temperature. The interframe dynamics represents a unique feature of MOFs that can be accessed in the future design of proton conductors.