Single Crystal Proton Conduction Study of a Metal Organic Framework of Modest Water Stability

A sulfonated indium (In) metal organic framework (MOF) is reported with an anionic layered structure incorporating hydrogen-bonded dimethylammonium cations and water molecules. The MOF becomes amorphous in >60% relative humidity; however, impedance analysis of pelletized powders revealed a proton conduction value of over 10^-3 S cm^-1 at 25 °C and 40% RH, a very high proton conduction value for low humidity and moderate temperature. Given the modest humidity stability of the MOF, triaxial impedance analyses on a single crystal was performed and confirmed bulk proton conductivity over 10^-3 S cm^-1 along two axes corroborating the data from the pellet.