PXRD and PDF analysis of multifunctional lanthanide nitrilotris-methylphosphonate-based proton conductors

Metal phosphonates are multifunctional solids which possess tunable properties, such as H-bond networks, while exhibiting high chemical and thermal stability. Depending on the protonation of the ligand, different crystalline phases can be obtained. Here, we report three different families of proton conductors based on lanthanide nitrilotrismethylphosphonates. Compounds having cationic layers compensate by chloride or sulfate anions were isolated: [Ln(H4NMP)(H2O)2]Cl·2H2O and Ln(H5NMP)]·SO4·4H2O [H6NMP = nitrilotris(methylphosphonic acid)]. The crystal structure of Gd-(H5NMP)]·SO4·4H2O was solved ab initio from synchrotron powder diffraction data (λ=0.4124 Å, beamline BL04-MSPD ALBA) and refined by the Rietveld method. Chloride containing phases show two irreversible solid state transformations take place: (1) a crystalline-to-crystalline phase transition, {Ln-H4NMP → [Ln2(H3NMP)2(H2O)4]·4.5H2O for Ln= La, Pr}, and (2) crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition, {LnH4NMP → [Ln(H3NMP)]·1.5H2O for Ln= Gd - Ho}, both implies the loss of HCl and structural rearrangements of the frameworks. Variations in average and local structure have been monitored by high resolution powder diffraction and PDF analysis, upon exposure the samples at high relative humidity and temperature (95% RH and 80 ºC), in order to understand their behavior as proton conductors.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Proton conductivity of lanthanide nitrilotris-methylphosphonates

Multifunctional metal phosphonates are acidic coordination polymers (CPs) with remarkable stability and proton conducting properties owing to their structure is usually composed of extended hydrogen-bond networks that favor proton transfer pathways [1]. In this communication, three different families of proton conductors based on lanthanide nitrilotris-methylphosphonates are examined. Compounds were isolated by crystallization at room temperature at pH <0.8 in the presence of. When chloride is presented in solution two families of compounds were isolated, depending on the concentration of chloride in solution: free-chloride 1D solids with formula Ln2(H3NMP)2(H2O)4]·4.5H2O [Ln= La3+] [2] or layered chloride-containing Ln(H4NMP)(H2O)2]Cl·2H2O [Ln= La3+ - Ho3+] materials [3]. In absence of chloride, a third series of compounds was obtained. This structural versatility leads to a wide range of proton conductivity varying between 3 × 10−4 S·cm−1 and 2 × 10−3 S·cm−1 as measured at 80 °C and 95% RH.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Structural study of the local order in ammonia-modulated FE(II) hydroxyphosphonoacetate proton conductors

Layered Fe(II) carboxiphosphonate, Fe-HPAA·2H2O, is a crystalline multifunctional coordination polymer exhibiting properties as photocatalyst and proton conductor. Postsynthesis modification by ammonia/water adsorption strongly enhances its proton conductivity. However, this process entails a progressive amorphization but in no case intercalation of the guest species was detected. Understanding the mechanism involved in this increased conductivity is crucial to develop novel high performance proton conductors for PEMFCs. Thus, total scattering and PDF study has been carried out to explore the mechanism of ammonia adsorption and subsequent amorphization. Different lenght scales have been investigated to characterize the average and local structure at variable ammonia loaded in order to ascertain posible structural modifications after gas/solid reactions. While significant short range order (from 1.4 to 10 Å) variations were observed even for low loadings, the average structure seems to be basically preserved except for the highest ammonia/water contents.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Phase Composition and Transport Properties of oxide ion conductors based on Sr1-xKxGeO3-x/2

Oxide ion conductors have been increasingly studied because of their potential applications in different electrochemical devices, such as, oxygen sensors, membranes for oxygen separation and components of fuel cells. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are electrochemical devices that operate at high temperatures, 600-1000 ºC, with higher efficiency for electrical generation than conventional systems based on fuel combustion. The high operating temperatures of the SOFC is mainly due to the limited ionic conductivity of the electrolyte. Zr0.84Y0.16O1.92 (YSZ) is the electrolyte most widely used in commercial systems due to its high stability and oxide ion conductivity at elevated temperatures (900-1000 ºC). However, there is a great interest in the development of devices with lower operation temperatures (600-800 ºC) to overcome collateral problems like difficulties in cell sealing or shorter lifetime of the components caused by the high operation temperature of YSZ. The high oxide ion conductivities recently reported in Na- and K-doped strontium silicates and germanates, make them potentially suitable for SOFC electrolytes. In this work, the structure, microstructure and electrical properties of Sr1-xKxGeO3-x/2 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2) compounds have been re-investigated. The materials have been prepared by conventional ceramic and freeze-drying precursor methods. Different phases are stabilized depending on the synthetic method and the sintering temperature. Samples prepared by freeze-drying at 700 ºC exhibit a triclinic structure, which transforms to a mixture of monoclinic and trigonal related phases on heating at 1000 ºC. The presence of some broad diffractions peaks, which are not fitted in the Rietveld analysis, indicates the existence of an amorphous or low-crystalline phase (ACn) that have been quantified by an external standard procedure (G-factor approach). The homogeneity and chemical composition of the samples were checked by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The total conductivity of these materials was studied by impedance spectroscopy.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Synthesis and proton conduction properties of lanthanide amino-sulfophosphonates

Crystalline acid-functionalized metal phosphonates are potential candidates as proton conducting electrolytes. Their frameworks can be chemically modified to contain proton carriers such as acidic groups (P-OH; -SO3H, -COOH,…) and guest molecules (H2O, NH3,…) that generates hydrogen bond networks stable in a wide range of temperature [1,2]. In this work, focus is laid on properties derived from the combination of lanthanide ions with the amino-sulfophosphonate ligand (H2O3PCH2)2-N-(CH2)2-SO3H. Hightrough-put screening was followed to reach the optimal synthesis conditions under solvothermal conditions at 140 ºC. Isolated polycrystalline solids, Ln[(O3PCH2)2-NH-(CH2)2-SO3H].2H2O (Ln= La, Pr and Sm), crystallize in the monoclinic (La) and orthorhombic (Pr and Sm) systems with unit cell volume of ~2548 Å3. Preliminary proton conductivity measurements for Sm derivative have been carried out between 25º and 80 ºC at relative humidity (RH) values of 70 % and 95 %. The sample exhibits enhanced conductivity at high RH and T (Figure 1) and constant activation energies of 0.4 eV, typical of a Grothuss mechanism of proton.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. FQM-1656; MAT2013-41836-

Synthesis and proton conduction properties of lanthanide amino-sulfophosphonates

Acidic groups-containing metal phosphonates exhibit a wide range of proton conductivity depending on the water content and functionality. Moreover, this property can be enhanced by appropriate post-synthesis chemical and/or thermal treatments [1,2]. In this work, focus is laid on properties derived from the combination of lanthanide ions with the amino-sulfophosphonate ligand (H2O3PCH2)2-N-(CH2)2-SO3H. Highthrough-put screening was used to reach the optimal synthesis conditions under hydrothermal conditions at 140 ºC. Isolated polycrystalline solids, Ln[(O3PCH2)2-NH-(CH2)2-SO3H]·2H2O (Ln= La, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb and Er), crystallize in the monoclinic (La and Er) and orthorhombic (Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd and Tb) systems with unit cell volume of ~1200 and 2548 Å3 respectively. Their crystal structures, solved ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data, correspond to different layered frameworks depending on the lanthanide cation size. Thus, compounds with orthorhombic symmetry show free acidic sulfonic pointing to the interlayer space, while La- and Er- derivatives display layered structures where both phosphonate and sulfonated groups are coordinated to the metal, leaving free P-OH groups. As consequence of this structural variability, different H-bond networks and proton transfer pathways are generated. Preliminary proton conductivity measurements have been carried out between 25 and 80 ºC at 70-95 % relative humidity. The sample exhibits conductivities near to 3.10-3 S.cm-1 and activation energies characteristics of a Grotthuss-type mechanism of proton transfer.Proyectos de investigación del ministerio MICINN, Españam(MAT2016-77648-R), Proyectos de la Junta de Andalucía (P12-FQM-1656), Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Properties and Applications of Metal Phosphates and Pyrophosphates as Proton Conductors

We review the progress in metal phosphate structural chemistry focused on proton conductivity properties and applications. Attention is paid to structure–property relationships, which ultimately determine the potential use of metal phosphates and derivatives in devices relying on proton conduction. The origin of their conducting properties, including both intrinsic and extrinsic conductivity, is rationalized in terms of distinctive structural features and the presence of specific proton carriers or the factors involved in the formation of extended hydrogen-bond networks. To make the exposition of this large class of proton conductor materials more comprehensive, we group/combine metal phosphates by their metal oxidation state, starting with metal (IV) phosphates and pyrophosphates, considering historical rationales and taking into account the accumulated body of knowledge of these compounds. We highlight the main characteristics of super protonic CsH2PO4, its applicability, as well as the affordance of its composite derivatives. We finish by discussing relevant structure–conducting property correlations for divalent and trivalent metal phosphates. Overall, emphasis is placed on materials exhibiting outstanding properties for applications as electrolyte components or single electrolytes in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells and Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cells.This research was funded by PID2019110249RB-I00 (MICIU/AEI, Spain) and PY20-00416 (Junta de Andalucia, Spain/FEDER) research projects. M.B.-G. thanks PAIDI2020 research grant (DOC_00272 Junta de Andalucia, Spain) and R.M.P.C. thanks University of Malaga under Plan Propio de Investigación for financial support

Ammonia effects on proton conductivity properties of coordination polymers

Crystalline metal phosphonates are referred to as a type of structurally versatile coordination polymers [1]. Many of them contain guest molecules (H2O, heterocyclics, etc.), acidic sites and, furthermore, their structure can be also amenable for post‐synthesis modifications in order to enhance desired properties [2]. In the present work, we examine the relationships between crystal structure and proton conductivity for several metal phosphonates derive from multifunctional ligands, such as 5-(dihydroxyphosphoryl)isophthalic acid (PiPhtA) [3] and 2-hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid (H3HPAA). Crystalline divalent metal derivatives show a great structural diversity, from 1D to 3D open-frameworks, possessing hydrogen-bonded water molecules and acid groups. These solids present a proton conductivity range between 7.2·10-6 and 1.3·10−3 S·cm-1. Upon exposure to ammonia vapor, from an aqueous solution, solid state transformations are observed accompanied of enhance proton conductivities. The stability of these solids under different environment conditions (temperature and relative humidities) as well as the influence of the ammonia adsorption on the proton conduction properties of the resulting solids will be discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Synthesis and characterization of M(II) phosphonates (M = Fe, Co, Zn, Mn) as precursors for PEMFCs electrocatalysts

Metal phosphonates are promising precursors for applications such as proton conductivity [1] and catalysis [2]. Specifically, upon calcination metal polyphosphates are generated that can be used as non-noble metal alternatives [3] to the highly expensive commercial catalysts (Pt) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this work, we present the synthesis and characterization of metal polyphosphates obtained from transition divalent metal phosphonates (M= Fe, Mn, Co and Zn) both as monometallic and bimetallic systems (solid solutions). For the preparation of the metal phosphonate precursors, two types of organic linkers were selected, i.e. 2-R,S-hydroxiphosphonoacetic acid [HO3PCH(OH)COOH, HPAA] and nitrilotrismethylenephosphonic acid [N(CH2PO3H2)3, ATMP]. The as synthesized compounds were calcined between 700 and 1000 ºC under N2. Depending on the metal/phosphorous molar ratio in the precursor phases, different compositions were found, the corresponding metal pyrophosphate being the major component according to the crystallographic data. Interestingly, in most of cases the solid solutions were preserved in the final product, for instance Fe-Mn, Fe-Co and Fe-Zn. All calcined materials have been also characterized by XPS, SEM/EDS, FTIR-Raman.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Tunable crystal structure and proton conductivity of lanthanide nitrilotrismethylphosphonates

Metal phosphonates are multifunctional solids with remarkable stability and proton conducting properties owing to their structure is usually composed of extended hydrogen-bond networks that favor proton transfer pathways [1]. Moreover, these properties can be enhanced by appropriate modification of the synthesis conditions [2, 3]. In this communication, a new family of isostructural 2D layered compounds based on lanthanide nitrilotris-methylphosphonates is reported. These compounds have been isolated at room temperature and have the general formula Ln[N(CH2)3(PO3H2)2(PO3H)(H2O)]SO4·2H2O (Ln= Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb). The coordination environment of Ln3+ is composed by eight oxygen atoms from three different ligands and two oxygens from bound waters. This connectivity creates positive charged layers connected to sulfate ions through hydrogen-bonds. These compounds show promising proton conductivity with values ranging between 7.6·10-2 and 3.8·10-2 S·cm-1 at 80 °C and 95% RH and low activation energy corresponding to Grotthuss-type proton transfer mechanism. In addition, a structural transformation occurs at T > 70 °C accompanied by a remarkable enhanced conductivity. Studies on the structure-properties relationships will be discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. MINECO: MAT2016-77648-R Junta Andalucía: P12-FQM-1656 y FQM-11