Advances and advantages of metal-organic framework and its composite membrane as proton conduction materials

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) represents a new and efficient form of clean energy, offering unique advantages such as high power density and long service life. It is considered to be a promising new generation technology for addressing energy crises and environmental issues. However, the commercially available Nafion PEM continues to encounter issues such as insufficient water retention and elevated costs. It is imperative to develop PEM materials that exhibit high proton conductivity and superior stability. The optimal PEM material exhibits high proton conductivity, high chemical stability, superior mechanical properties, easy preparation, and low cost. These materials can be incorporated into H2/O2 fuel cells to enhance the practical application of metal-organic framework (MOF)-based proton-conductive materials in electrochemical devices. In recent years, MOFs have attracted considerable attention in the field of proton conduction owing to their tunable structure and high crystallinity. The incorporation of MOFs into polymer matrices has been shown to enhance the proton transfer path within the membrane, providing valuable insights into the mechanism of proton transfer in hybrid membranes. This review summarizes recent research on the advantages of using MOF materials for proton transfer and their composite membranes. It is crucial to develop PEM materials that exhibit high proton conductivity and outstanding stability.