Issue 9, 2021

Improving proton conduction of the Prussian blue analogue Cu3[Co(CN)6]2·nH2O at low humidity by forming hydrogel composites

Abstract

In this study, we have synthesized Prussian blue analogue nanocrystals of copper hexacyanocobaltate (CuHCC), and their derivatives via a facile stepwise encapsulation of 1,3-diaza-2,4-cyclopentadiene (Im; Im@CuHCC) and acetic acid (HAc; Im-HAc@CuHCC) into the CuHCC framework. These materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption and scanning electron microscopy. Im-HAc@CuHCC shows humidity dependent proton conduction with conductivity (σ) in the 0.933–8.55 × 10−2 S cm−1 range at 98% relative humidity (RH) while σ ≈ 10−6–10−5 S cm−1 at 25% RH in the 298–353 K range. We further prepared and characterized a series of composites of Im-HAc@CuHCC with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel, labeled Im-HAc@CuHCC-PVA-X (X = 0, 2, 5 and 10%, and represents the mass ratio of Im-HAc@CuHCC and the hydrogel). Regarding PVA hydrogel, the tensile strength of composites is enhanced at least 1.5 times. Importantly, the X = 10% composite shows superior proton conduction with σ = 0.81–6.5 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 25% RH in the 298–353 K range, confirming that the formation of the hydrogel composite is a facile but efficient strategy to enhance the water-retention capacity and proton conduction at low humidity for porous proton conductors.

Graphical abstract: Improving proton conduction of the Prussian blue analogue Cu3[Co(CN)6]2·nH2O at low humidity by forming hydrogel composites

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
17 Jan 2021
Accepted
02 Mar 2021
First published
02 Mar 2021

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2021,8, 2305-2314

Improving proton conduction of the Prussian blue analogue Cu3[Co(CN)6]2·nH2O at low humidity by forming hydrogel composites

Q. Qiao, H. Wang, C. Li, X. Wang and X. Ren, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2021, 8, 2305 DOI: 10.1039/D1QI00070E

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