Dual-Dimensional Interwoven Proton Exchange Membrane Exhibiting High Anhydrous Proton Conductivity Around Room Temperature
Developing proton exchange membranes (PEMs) that operate efficiently around room temperature and anhydrous conditions remains a critical challenge in electrochemical devices. Conventional linear polymers typically suffer from poor confinement of strong acids and ill-defined proton conduction pathways, which limit their practical applications. Herein, we report an anhydrous proton exchange membrane (MSA@CTF-AP), which is constructed by confining a strong acid (methanesulfonic acid, MSA) within a polymeric network that consists of three-dimensional (3D) triazine frameworks interwoven with one-dimensional (1D) polymer segments. In this hybrid architecture, the rigid 3D domains provide more stable proton conduction pathways, while flexible 1D polymer segments maintain the mechanical integrity of membrane. As a result, the membrane exhibits a high anhydrous proton conductivity exceeding 10–3 S cm–1 around room temperature, along with excellent long-term cycling stability, retaining over 99% of its initial capacity after 7500 cycles in proton battery systems. Compared to liquid and powder-based proton electrolytes, this continuous self-standing membrane displays enhanced structural and performance stability, making it a promising proton electrolyte candidate for next-generation proton batteries and other related nonaqueous electrochemical devices operating around room temperature.
Authors
- Dong-Sheng Shao
- Xiao‐Ming Ren (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0848-6503)
- Nana Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8610-3411)
- Qiao Qiao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3041-8972)
- Zhengfang Tian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8212-778X)
- Xue−Wei Pan
- Han Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0166-1973)
- Jin Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1557-355X)
- An Gu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6230-1138)
Institutions
- Huanggang Normal University (CN)
- Nanjing Tech University (CN)
- East China University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Catalytic Materials (United States) (US)
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering (CN)
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Czechia) (CZ)
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Applied Energy Materials
- Published
- 2025-08-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.5c02185
- Primary Topic
- Fuel Cells and Related Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- China Postdoctoral Science Foundation