Open framework–based Brønsted acid–Lewis base interfaces boost proton transfer in the fuel cells

Limited proton conductivity within the catalyst layer induces severe ohmic polarizations and constrains power output at high hydrogen-to-electricity efficiencies in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. We demonstrate that proton transfer can be boosted by constructing Brønsted acid–Lewis base interfaces through integrating organic open frameworks with Nafion. These confined interfaces mediate low-barrier relay pathways, disrupt hydrogen bonding to expedite water network reorganization, facilitate consecutive proton transfer, and enrich protons locally. Compared with Nafion, the complexes exhibit an order-of-magnitude increase in proton self-diffusion coefficient, a 6.5-fold rise in proton conductivity, and a 55% reduction in activation energy. When integrated with commercial platinum on carbon, they deliver a fourfold increase in rated power output relative to the baseline, outperforming representative state-of-the-art membrane electrode assemblies with advanced catalysts under similar conditions.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Science
Published
2026-09-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adp3564
Primary Topic
Fuel Cells and Related Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Open framework–based Brønsted acid–Lewis base interfaces boost proton transfer in the fuel cells

Shangnan Zhao, Zipeng Zhao, Qian‐You Wang, Ke Wu et al.
Science
Fuel Cells and Related Materials
article

Open framework–based Brønsted acid–Lewis base interfaces boost proton transfer in the fuel cells

Shangnan Zhao, Zipeng Zhao, Qian‐You Wang, Ke Wu, Yanli Lu, Jie Li, Shucheng Sun, Wenxiu Yang, Xianghao Han, Junwen Zhou, Teng Zhang, Bo Wang, Yujing Li, Yu Han, Xiao Feng, Qianli Ma, Jiarui Yang, Jianwei Yang, Feiyu Yue, Wenhan Sheng, Xilin Jia, Zihan Zhao, Shuang Zhao, Wenli Xu, Tang Wang
article en

Abstract

Limited proton conductivity within the catalyst layer induces severe ohmic polarizations and constrains power output at high hydrogen-to-electricity efficiencies in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. We demonstrate that proton transfer can be boosted by constructing Brønsted acid–Lewis base interfaces through integrating organic open frameworks with Nafion. These confined interfaces mediate low-barrier relay pathways, disrupt hydrogen bonding to expedite water network reorganization, facilitate consecutive proton transfer, and enrich protons locally. Compared with Nafion, the complexes exhibit an order-of-magnitude increase in proton self-diffusion coefficient, a 6.5-fold rise in proton conductivity, and a 55% reduction in activation energy. When integrated with commercial platinum on carbon, they deliver a fourfold increase in rated power output relative to the baseline, outperforming representative state-of-the-art membrane electrode assemblies with advanced catalysts under similar conditions.

ScienceVol. 393(6816)
Beijing Institute of Technology (CN), City University of Hong Kong (HK), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CN), Key Laboratory of Nuclear Radiation and Nuclear Energy Technology (CN), South China University of Technology (CN)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 20%
Fuel Cells and Related Materials
DOISourceOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.