1 research outputs found
Molecular Origin of Enhanced Proton Conductivity in Anhydrous Ionic Systems
Ionic systems with
enhanced proton conductivity are widely viewed
as promising electrolytes in fuel cells and batteries. Nevertheless,
a major challenge toward their commercial applications is determination
of the factors controlling the fast proton hopping in anhydrous conditions.
To address this issue, we have studied novel proton-conducting materials
formed via a chemical reaction of lidocaine base with a series of
acids characterized by a various number of proton-active sites. From
ambient and high pressure experimental data, we have found that there
are fundamental differences in the conducting properties of the examined
salts. On the other hand, DFT calculations revealed that the internal
proton hopping within the cation structure strongly affects the pathways
of mobility of the charge carrier. These findings offer a fresh look
on the Grotthuss-type mechanism in protic ionic glasses as well as
provide new ideas for the design of anhydrous materials with exceptionally
high proton conductivity