Polyoxometalates loaded metal-organic frameworks as functional proton conductors for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells with high performance

High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) usually show some obvious advantages like higher energy efficiency, cheaper hydrogen purification cost and simpler heat/water management systems. Design and synthesis of high-performance high-temperature proton exchange membranes (HT-PEMs) with excellent proton conductivity meanwhile enhanced mechanical properties still remain a huge challenge in HT-PEMFCs field. Herein, we designed and prepared a new proton conductor HPW@MOF-808. Subsequently, HPW@MOF-808 has been doped into poly(terphenyl piperidine) (PTP) polymer and some exceptionally well HT-PEMs have been prepared. Thanks to the transformation from zirconium-oxygen clusters of MOF-808 to ZrP 2 O 7 , the composite membranes show higher proton conduction and greater tensile strength. The PTP-2PM has a peak power density of 861.5 mW cm -2 , making it a promising candidate for HT-PEMFCs. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that ZrP 2 O 7 has stronger hydrogen bonds interactions with the main chain, leading to a denser hydrogen bonding network within the membrane and can effectively limit the separation of the membrane backbone. Moreover, the regular arrangement of HPW help to construct an additional proton transfer channel. In this work, a novel inorganic filler for HT-PEMs is proposed, it offers a fresh approach to developing high-performance HT-PEMs.