High Proton Mobility with High Directionality in Isolated Channels of MOF-74

Isolated one-dimensional (1-D) proton channels in a metal-organic framework, MOF-74, have been reasonably expected to show highly directional proton conductivity, although no evidence has been provided. As a result of dimensional anisotropy of the channels evenly aligned in the c-axis of MOF-74 single crystal, highly directional proton conductivity is demonstrated by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In particular, single crystals treated with sulfuric acid or ammonium hydroxide displays a maximum ∼1200-fold-enhanced c-axis proton conductivity compared to its a-axis conductivity, demonstrating highly directional proton migration through the channels. Very low activation energies (e.g., 0.12 eV) for the c-axis conductivity of MOF-74 also suggest a high proton mobility that arises via Grotthuss proton transfer parallel to the channels.