Coordination-Network-Based Ionic Plastic Crystal for Anhydrous Proton Conductivity

Abstract

An ionic coordination network consisting of protonated imidazole and anionic one-dimensional chains of Zn²⁺ phosphate was synthesized. The compound possesses highly mobile ions in the crystal lattice and behaves as an ionic plastic crystal. The dynamic behavior provides a proton conductivity of 2.6 × 10^–4 S cm^–1 at 130 °C without humidity