We review the progress in metal phosphate structural chemistry focused on proton conductivity properties and applications. Attention is paid to structure–property relationships, which ultimately determine the potential use of metal phosphates and derivatives in devices relying on proton conduction. The origin of their conducting properties, including both intrinsic and extrinsic conductivity, is rationalized in terms of distinctive structural features and the presence of specific proton carriers or the factors involved in the formation of extended hydrogen-bond networks. To make the exposition of this large class of proton conductor materials more comprehensive, we group/combine metal phosphates by their metal oxidation state, starting with metal (IV) phosphates and pyrophosphates, considering historical rationales and taking into account the accumulated body of knowledge of these compounds. We highlight the main characteristics of super protonic CsH2PO4, its applicability, as well as the affordance of its composite derivatives. We finish by discussing relevant structure–conducting property correlations for divalent and trivalent metal phosphates. Overall, emphasis is placed on materials exhibiting outstanding properties for applications as electrolyte components or single electrolytes in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells and Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cells.
Metal phosphates (MPs) comprise an ample class of structurally versatile acidic solids, with outstanding performances in a wide variety of applications, such as catalysts [1][2][3], fuel cells [4][5][6], batteries [7], biomedical [8], etc. Depending on the metal/phosphate combinations and the synthetic methodologies, MP solids can be prepared in a vast diversity of crystalline forms, from 3D open-frameworks, through layered networks, to 1D polymeric structures.
Solid acid proton conductors, with stoichiometry MIHyXO4 (MI = Cs, Rb; X = S, P, Se; y = 1, 2), have received much attention because they exhibit exceptional proton transport properties and can be used as electrolytes in fuel cells operated at intermediate temperatures (120-300 °C). The fundamental characteristics of these materials are the phase transition that occurs in response to heating, cooling or application of pressure [6][119], accompanied by an increase in proton conductivity of several orders of magnitude—referred to as super protonic conductivity (Figure 7).
Figure 7. The characteristic high and low temperature proton conductivity and the corresponding structures for CsH2PO4, adapted from [6][120].
This property has been associated with the delocalization of hydrogen bonds [120]. For CsH2PO4, a proton conductivity of 6 × 10-2 S·cm-1 (Table 1) was measured above 230 °C corresponding to the super protonic cubic (Pm-3m) phase [121] while it drastically drops in the low temperature phases. Recently, from an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation study of the solid acids CsHSeO4, CsHSO4 and CsH2PO4, it was concluded that efficient long-range proton transfer in the high temperature (HT) phases is enabled by the interplay of high proton-transfer rates and frequent anion reorientation.
In these compounds, proton conduction follows a Grotthuss mechanism with proton transfer being associated with structural reorientation [122]. The super protonic conductor CsH2PO4 is stable under humidified conditions (PH2O = 0.4 atm) [6], but it dehydrates to CsPO3, via the transient phase Cs2H2P2O7, at 230-260 °C, according to the relationship log(PH2O/atm) = 6.11(±0.82) - 3.63(±0.42) × 1000/(Tdehy/K) [123].Improvements in the mechanical and proton conductivity properties, as well as in thermal stability of CsH2PO4-based electrolytes have been addressed by mixing with oxide materials, such as zirconia, silica, alumina, and titania (Table 1). Thus, the (1-x)Cs3(HSO4)2(H2PO4)/xSiO2 composite with x = 0.7 increase the proton conductivity up to 10–2 S·cm−1 in the range 60–200 °C. Moreover, the introduction of fine-particle silica reduced the jump in conductivity at the phase-transition temperature and shifted it to lower temperatures. Higher silica contents led to a decrease in the conductivity due to the disruption of conduction paths [132].
The use of acid-modified silica confers high thermal stability at low H2O partial pressure while maintaining high proton conductivity (10−3–10−2 S·cm−1, at 130–250 °C) [134]. A similar trend was found for the composites (1−x)CsH2PO4/xTiO2 and (1−x)CsH2PO4/xZrO2 (contents x = 0.1 and 0.2) [135][136]. High performance was also reported for the composite 8:1:1 CsH2PO4/NaH2PO4/ZrO2, with a stable conductivity of 2.23 × 10−2 S·cm−1 for 42 h being measured for the high temperature phase [137]. Nanodiamonds (ND) are another type of heterogeneous additive giving rise to the (1−x)CsH2PO4-xND (x = 0–0.5) composites exhibiting enhanced low temperature proton conductivities, while maintaining almost unaltered that of high temperature [140].
CsH2PO4 composites based on organic additives have been also intensively investigated. For example, binary mixtures containing N-heterocycles (1,2,4-triazole, benzimidazole and imidazole) displayed enhanced proton conductivity at temperatures below the super protonic phase transition (2 − 8 × 10−4 S·cm−1 at 174–190 °C) [138]. Another approach was reported in which the solid acid CsH2PO4 was combined with fluoroelastomer p(VDF/HFP), producing high conductive composite membranes (1−x)CsH2PO4-xp(VDF/HPF) (x = 0.05–0.25 wt%) with improved mechanical and hydrophobic properties, along with flexibility and reduced thickness.
However, a high concentration of p(VDF/HFP) rendered membranes with a reduced proton conductivity for the HT phase [141]. By using the polymer butvar (polyvinyl butyral) [121], composite membranes (1−x)CsH2PO4-xButvar (x < 0.2 wt%) were obtained showing, in a wide range of composition, a proton conduction behaviour analogous to the pure salt in the high temperature region but with increased low temperature conductivity by three orders of magnitude at x = 0.2.
Table 1. Proton conductivity data for selected monovalent and tetravalent metal phosphates and pyrophosphates.
Compounds/Dimensionality |
Temperature (°C)/RH(%) |
Conductivity (S·cm-1) |
Ea (eV) |
Ref. |
Tetravalent Metal Phosphates |
|
|
|
|
ZrP·0.8PrNH2·5H2O/2D |
20/90 |
1.2 × 10-3 |
1.04 |
[50] |
Zr(P2O7)0.81(O3POH)0.38/2D |
20/90 |
1.3 × 10-3 |
0.19 |
[51] |
Zr(O3POH)0.65(O3PC6H4SO3H)1.35/2D |
100/90 |
7.0 × 10-2 |
--- |
[52] |
(NH4)2[ZrF2(HPO4)2]/3D |
90/95 |
1.45 × 10-2 |
0.19 |
[53] |
(NH4)5[Zr3(OH)3F6(PO4)2(HPO4)]/3D |
60/98 |
4.41 × 10-2 |
0.33 |
[54] |
(NH4)3Zr(H2/3PO4)3/1D |
90/95 |
1.21 × 10-2 |
0.30 |
[55] |
Ti2(HPO4)4/1D |
20/95 |
1.2 × 10-3 |
0.13 |
[83] |
Ti2O(PO4)2·2H2O (π-TiP)/3D |
90/95 |
1.3 × 10-3 |
0.23 |
[86] |
Ti(HPO4)1(O3PC6H4SO3H)0.85(OH)0.30·nH2O/2D |
100/-- |
0.1 |
0.18 |
[117] |
Sn(HPO4)2·3H2O/2D |
100/95 |
1.0 × 10-2 |
--- |
[88] |
α-ZrP2O7/3D |
300 |
1.0 × 10−4 |
--- |
[49] |
(NH4)3Zr(H2/3PO4)3/1D |
180 |
1.45 × 10−3 |
0.26 |
[55] |
Tetravalent Pyrophosphates |
|
|
|
|
TiP2O7/3D |
100/100 |
4.4 × 10-3 |
0.14 |
[116] |
(C6H14N2)[NiV2O6H8(P2O7)2]·2H2O/3D |
60/100 |
2.0 × 10-2 |
0.38 |
[118] |
In0.1Sn0.9P2O7/3D |
300 |
0.195 |
--- |
[108] |
Ce0.9Mg0.1P2O7/3D |
200 |
4.0 × 10−2 |
--- |
[115] |
CeP2O7/3D |
180 |
3.0 × 10−2 |
--- |
[115] |
Super protonic Cesium Phosphates |
|
|
|
|
CsH2PO4/3D |
>230 |
6.0 × 10−2 |
--- |
[120] |
Cs1-xRbxH2PO4/3D |
240 |
3.0 × 10−2 |
0.92 |
[127] |
Cs1−xH2+xPO4/3D |
150 |
2.0 × 10−2 |
0.70 |
[141] |
(1−x)Cs3(HSO4)2(HPO4)/xSiO2 |
200 |
1.0 × 10−2 |
--- |
[132] |
(1-x)CsH2PO4/xTiO2 |
230 |
2.0 × 10−2 |
--- |
[135] |
(1-x)CsH2PO4/xZrO2 |
250 |
2.6 × 10−2 |
--- |
[136] |
CsH2PO4/NaH2PO4/ZrO2 |
230 |
2.23 × 10−2 |
--- |
[137] |
4. Divalent and Trivalent Metal Phosphates
Divalent transition metal phosphates show a great structural versatility, from 1D polymeric topologies through layered framework to 3D open-framework structures. Most of these solids are synthetized in the presence of organic molecules, which are retained as protonated guest species (amines, iminazole derivatives, etc.), thus, compensating the anionic charge of the inorganic framework. This is formed by the metal ion, mainly in octahedral or tetrahedral coordination environments, linked to the phosphate groups with different protonated degrees (HxPO4). The presence of the latter makes possible the formation of effective and extensive hydrogen bond networks with participation of water molecules. In addition, protonated guest species and water itself can act as proton carriers, thus, boosting proton conduction (Table 2) [12][13][14].
Several 3D open-framework M(II) phosphates have been reported [14][143], which consist of [CoPO4]∞− or [Zn2(HPO4)2(H2PO4)2]2− anionic frameworks that contain organic charge-compensating ions in their internal cavities. (C2N2H10)0.5CoPO4 exhibited negligible conductivity in anhydrous conditions; however, it displayed a relatively high water-mediated proton conductivity 2.05 × 10−3 S·cm−1 at 56 °C and 98% RH. On the other hand, the solid NMe4·Zn[HPO4][H2PO4] experiences a structural transformation from monoclinic (α) to orthorhombic (β) upon heating at 149 °C. Both polymorphs contain 12-membered rings composed of tetrahedral Zn2+ ions linked to protonated phosphate groups without changing Zn-O-P connectivity (Figure 8).
Figure 8. Irreversible structural transformation in NMe4Zn[HPO4][H2PO4]4 adapted from [143]. N (sky-blue), O (red), Zn (magenta), P (orange), C (grey) and H (pale pink) atoms.
The α phase transforms into the β phase at high humidity and temperatures above 60 °C, and then reaches a proton conductivity of 1.30 × 10−2 S·cm−1 at 98% RH, a behaviour that might be attributed to the participation of adsorbed water molecules in creating H-bonding networks with effective pathways for proton conduction. The conductivity drastically decreases at 65 °C. In anhydrous conditions, the α phase exhibited a proton conductivity of ~10−4 S·cm−1 at 160 °C, similar values were found for other reported zinc phosphates at temperatures between 130 and 190 °C [12][144][145].
Membrane-electrode assembly prepared with the pelletized solid, gave an observed open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.92 V at 190 °C measured in a H2/air cell, suggesting that the dominant conductive species are protons, and the proton transport from anode to cathode takes place through H-bond networks in the pellet.
As an example of 2D metal phosphate water-assisted proton conductors, (C2H10N2) [Mn2(HPO4)3](H2O), displayed a proton conductivity of 1.64 × 10−3 S·cm−1 under 99% RH at 20 °C. This proton conductivity was attributed to the formation of dense H-bond networks in the lattice, composed of Mn3O13 units-containing anionic layers [146], which provide efficient proton-transfer pathways for a Grotthuss-type proton transport at high RH.
Another way of improving the proton conductivity in layered divalent metal phosphates is favouring the formation of hydrogen bond networks by ion exchange. For instance [17], partial exchange of Na+ for ethylendiammonium yielded two new crystalline phases, with composition (C2H10N2)xNa1−x[Mn2(PO4)2] (x = 0.37 y 0.54), which influenced formation of extended hydrogen bond networks and concomitant increase in proton conductivity, from 2.22 × 10−5 S·cm−1 for the as-synthesized material (in ethylendiammonium form) to 1.3 × 10−2 S·cm−1 (x = 0.37) and 2.1 × 10−2 S·cm−1 (x = 0.54) at 99% RH and 30 °C.
This strategy of enhancing proton conductivity was further extended successfully to other 2D manganese phosphates [18]. A proton conductivity value as high as 7.72 × 10−2 S·cm−1 was reached at 30 °C and 99% RH for K+-exchanged compounds, which compares well with those of MOF-based open-framework materials [147][148][149]. The 1D solid [Zn3(H2PO4)6(H2O)3](Hbim) (Hbim= benzimidazole) prepared by mechanochemical synthesis is characterized by presenting a dual-function as proton conductor.
It loses the coordinated water by heating transforming into [Zn3(HPO4)6](Hbim), which exhibits an intrinsic proton conductivity higher than the hydrated form, reaching a value of 1.3 × 10−3 S·cm−1 at 120 °C, believed to be due to a rearrangement of the conduction path and the liquid-like behaviour of benzimidazole molecules. In addition, this solid also showed porosity, thus, enabling the adsorption of gaseous methanol that further improved the proton conductivity of the anhydrous phase. This enhancement of proton conductivity in methanol-adsorbed samples was explained by the effective participation of the guest molecule in formation of extended hydrogen-bond interactions [19].
An ordered-to-disordered structural transformation and its implication in proton conduction were investigated for the 1D copper phosphate [ImH2][Cu(H2PO4)2Cl]·H2O (Im = imidazole). In this structure, the protonated imidazole (ImH2) and the water molecule are located in interspaces of the anionic chains [Cu(H2PO4)2Cl]-. Upon heating a structural transformation from an ordered crystalline state to a disordered state occurred. Highly mobile and structurally disordered H+ carriers were supposed to be responsible of the high proton conductivity 2 × 10−2 S·cm−1 at 130 °C, under anhydrous conditions [150].
A 1D zinc phosphate-based proton conductor, [Zn3(H2PO4)6(H2O)3](BTA) (BTA = 1,2,3-benzotriazole) has been reported [151] that exhibits high proton conductivity, 8 × 10−3 S·cm−1 in anhydrous glassy-state (120 °C). The glassy-state, developed via melt-quenching, was suggested to induce isotropic disordered domains that enhanced H+ dynamics and conductive interfaces. In fact, the capability of the glassy-state material as an electrolyte was found suitable for the rechargeable all-solid-state H+ battery operated in a wide range of temperatures from 25 to 110 °C.
Focus has been also put on metal phosphate-based solid solutions [152][153]. Vacancies can be generated that introduce extra protons into the structure and increase the proton conduction. This effect was investigated for the 1D rubidium and magnesium polyphosphate compound, RbMg1-xH2x(PO3)3·yH2O, for which system a maximum proton conductivity of 5.5 × 10−3 S·cm−1 was measured at 170 °C with a vehicle-type mechanism of H3O+ conduction.
The proton conductivity results from H-bond interactions between water molecules and corner-sharing PO4 chains that provide formation of sandwiched edge-sharing RbO6-MgO6 chain [152]. Another example is the solid solution with composition Co1-xZnx(H2PO4)2·2H2O (0 < x < 1.0), which showed the highest conductivity value, 2.01 × 10−2 S·cm−1 at 140 °C, for a composition Co0.5Zn0.5(H2PO4)2·2H2O [153].
Zeolite-like open framework metal(III) phosphates consist of metal(III) ions-phosphate species (PO43-, HPO42-, H2PO4-) linkages featuring internal cavities, where charge-compensating cations and/or neutral species are located and, thus, dense hydrogen bond networks frequently result. In addition, the robust inorganic framework endues this porous material with better thermal and chemical stability compared with porous coordination polymers/metal organic frameworks (PCPs/MOFs) [13].
Regarding to proton conductivity (Table 2), aluminium phosphate-based solids are by far the most studied compounds [154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165][166][167]. The species inside channels affect in different ways to proton conduction. Thus, while water adsorption is key to assist proton transfer in (NH4)2Al4(PO4)4(HPO4)·H2O by a hopping mechanism along H-bond chains [166], densely packed NH4+ ions show negligible contribution because of hampered migration.
By using an organic template-free synthetic methodology, a 3D open-framework aluminophosphate Na6[(AlPO4)8(OH)6]·8H2O (JU103) was prepared [158], which showed a proton conductivity of 3.59 × 10−3 S·cm−1, at 20 °C and 98% RH. It was argued that the enhanced conductivity of the as-synthesized material as compared to its NH4+- or Ag+-exchanged forms is indicative of a beneficial effect of hydrated Na+ ions in generating proton-transfer pathways. The 3D cesium silicoaluminophosphate, Cs2(Al0.875Si0.125)4(P0.875Si0.125O4)4(HPO4), belonging to the structural family of SAPOs, was shown to exhibit a remarkable proton conductivity of 1.70 × 10−4 S·cm−1 at low temperature and RH (20 °C and 30%, respectively) [168][169].
Several 2D aluminophosphates have been reported as proton conductors [154][156]. These compounds (denoted as AlPO-CJ70/2) are structurally characterized by displaying an anionic layer: [Al2P3O12]3-, formed by alternating Al3+ and phosphorus tetrahedra, which is charge-compensated by N,N-dimethylbenzylamine or α-methylbenzylamine ions, respectively. In these layered structures, extended H-bond networks are formed through interactions of the amine N atoms, H2O molecules and protruding phosphate groups of the anionic layer. Consequently, water-mediated proton conduction processes occurred upon immersion in water, with σ values around 10−3 S·cm−1, at 80 °C, and Ea values of 0.16−0.2 eV, typical of a Grotthuss-type proton-transfer mechanism.
By following a synthetic route in which methylimidazolium dihydrogenphosphate was used as a solvent, structure-directing agent, and a phosphorus source, the solid (C4H7N2)(C3H4N2)2·Al3(PO4)4·0.5H2O (SCU−2) was obtained [164]. Its layered structure, built up from corner-sharing Al3+ and PV tetrahedra, features 8-member rings where guest imidazolium ions and water molecules are hosted. At 85 °C and 98% RH, this solid showed a proton conductivity of 5.9 × 10−3 S·cm−1 and a low activation energy (0.20 eV), characteristic of a Grotthuss-type proton-transfer mechanism. An efficient pathway for the proton transfer was attributed to the hydrogen bond network established between the imidazolium ions and water molecules interacting with the host framework.
A few examples of phosphate-based proton conductors of other trivalent metals do exist. Among them, two Fe(III) phosphates, 1D (C4H12N2)1.5[Fe2(OH)(H2PO4)(HPO4)2(PO4)]·0.5H2O [13] and 3D open-framework iron(III) phosphate (NH3(CH2)3NH3)2[Fe4(OH)3(HPO4)2(PO4)3]·4H2O [170], have been reported. Both compounds contain Fe4O20 tetramers as a common structural feature. The 1D solid is composed of chains of tetramers bridged by PO43- groups and having terminal H2PO4- and HPO42- groups [171], while piperazinium cations and water molecules are disorderly situated in between chains. This arrangement gives rise to extended hydrogen bonding interactions and hence proton conducting pathways. The proton conductivity measured at 40 °C and 99% RH was 5.14 × 10−4 S·cm−1, and it was maintained upon dispersion of this solid in PVDF [13]. In the case of the 3D solid, infinite chains of interconnected tetramers are interlinked, in turn by phosphate groups that generate large tunnels (Figure 9). The diprotonated 1,3-diaminopropane and water molecules, localized inside tunnels, form an extended hydrogen bond network with the P–OH groups pointing toward cavities. These interactions favour proton hopping, the measured proton conductivity being of 8.0 × 10−4 S·cm−1, at 44 °C and 99% RH, and with an Ea of 0.32 eV [172]. Furthermore, the proton conductivity of this compound increased up to 5 × 10−2 S·cm−1 at 40 °C upon exposure to aqua-ammonia vapors from 1 M NH3·H2O solution. This result confirms this treatment as an effective way of enhancing proton conductivity, which has been elsewhere demonstrated for the case of coordination polymers [173][174]. The observed variation of Ea with the ammonia concentration also suggested that NH3, as well as H2O, molecules contribute to create proton-transfer pathways, by a Grotthuss mechanism. However, when ammonia concentrations were lower than 0.5 M, the proton conduction mechanism tended to be vehicle-type one [156].
Table 2. Proton conductivity data for selected divalent and trivalent metal phosphates.
Compounds/Dimensionality |
Temperature (°C)/RH(%) |
Conductivity (S·cm-1) |
Ea (eV) |
Ref. |
|
Divalent Metal Phosphates |
|
|
|
|
|
(C2N2H10)0.5CoPO4/3D |
56/98 |
2.05 × 10-3 |
1.01 |
[143] |
|
NMe4·Zn[HPO4][H2PO4] (β phase)/3D |
60/98 |
1.30 × 10-2 |
0.92 |
[14] |
|
(C2H10N2) [Mn2(HPO4)3](H2O)/2D |
20/99 |
1.64 × 10-3 |
0.22 |
[146] |
|
(C2H10N2)xNa1−x[Mn2(PO4)2]/2D |
30/99 |
2.1 × 10-2 |
0.14 |
[17] |
|
(C2H10N2)1-xKx[Mn2(PO4)2]·2H2O/2D |
30/99 |
7.72 × 10-2 |
0.18 |
[18] |
|
(C2H10N2)1-xKx[Mn2(HPO4)3] (H2O)/2D |
30/99 |
0.85 × 10-2 |
0.081 |
[18] |
|
[Zn3(H2PO4)6(H2O)3](Hbim)/1D |
120 |
|
1.3 × 10−3 |
0.50 |
[19] |
[ImH2][Cu(H2PO4)2Cl]·H2O/1D |
130 |
|
2.0 × 10−2 |
0.1 |
[150] |
[Zn3(H2PO4)6(H2O)3](BTA)/1D |
120 |
|
8.0 × 10−3 |
0.39 |
[151] |
RbMg0.9H0.2(PO3)3·yH2O/1D |
170 |
|
5.5 × 10−3 |
--- |
[152] |
Co0.5Zn0.5(H2PO4)2·2H2O/1D |
140 |
|
2.01×10−2 |
--- |
[153] |
Trivalent Metal Phosphates |
|
|
|
|
|
Na6[(AlPO4)8(OH)6]·8H2O/3D |
20/98 |
|
3.59×10-3 |
0.21 |
[158] |
[C9H14N]8[H2O]4·[Al8P12O48H4]/2D |
80, in water |
|
9.25×10-4 |
0.16 |
[154] |
[R-,S-C8H12N]8[H2O]2·[Al8P12O48H4]/2D |
90/98 |
|
3.01×10-3 |
0.20 |
[156] |
(C4H7N2)(C3H4N2)2·Al3(PO4)4·0.5H2O/2D |
85/98 |
|
5.94×10-3 |
0.20 |
[164] |
In(HPO4)(H2PO4)(D,L-C3H7NO2)/3D |
85/98 |
|
2.9 × 10-3 |
0.19 |
[16] |
(NH3(CH2)3NH3)2[Fe4(OH)3(HPO4)2(PO4)3]· 4H2O/1D |
40/99 |
|
5.0 × 10-2 |
--- |
[170] |
Hbim = benzimidazole; Im =imidazole; BTA = 1,2,3-benzotriazole.
For the series of isostructural imidazole cation (ImH2)-templated layered metal phosphates, [ImH2][X-(HPO4)2(H2O)2] (FJU−25-X, X = Al, Ga, and Fe), it was found that the proton conductivity was dependent on mobility of imidazole guests, FJU−25-Fe exhibiting the highest proton conductivity (5.21 × 10−4 S·cm−1 at 90 °C). The determined activation energies (~0.20 eV) were indicative of a Grotthuss-type mechanism of proton conduction.
The amino acid-template indium phosphate, In(HPO4)(H2PO4)(D,L-C3H7NO2) (SCU−12), represents a singular example of 3D metal phosphate-based proton conductors [16].
Its crystal structure is formed by edge-sharing four-ring ladders, with the amino acid molecules attached to the ladders through In–O bonds. Further bridging the indium phosphate ladders by the H2PO4- groups gives rise to a three-dimensional structure. The presence of two kinds of proton carriers, H2PO4- ions and zwitterionic alanine molecules, favours the development of high proton conductivities (2.9 × 10−3 S·cm−1 at 85 °C and 98% RH) through a Grotthuss-type proton-transfer mechanism (Ea = 0.19 eV).
Other trivalent metal phosphates have been reported, e.g., BPOx [175] and CePO4 [176]. The former exhibited a proton conductivity of 7.9 × 10−2 S·cm−1 as self-supported electrolyte and 4.5 × 10−2 S·cm−1 as (PBI)−4BPOx composite membrane, measured at 150 °C and 5% RH, but structure/conductivity correlations were not established because of its amorphous nature. The latter showed a low-temperature (RT) proton conduction < 10−5 S·cm−1 at 100% RH through a structure-independent proton-transport mechanism [176].
There are only a few examples of metal(III) pyrophosphates displaying proton conductivity. Among them is the open framework magnesium aluminophosphate MgAlP2O7(OH)(H2O)2 (JU102) [167]. Its structure is composed of tetrahedral Al3+ and octahedral Mg2+ ions coordinated by pyrophosphate ions. This connectivity results in an open framework with unidirectional 8-ring channels. The proton conduction properties originate from the existence of an H-bond network in which coordinated water molecules participate.
Thus, the proton conductivity measured at 55 °C on water-immersed samples was 3.86 × 10−4 S·cm−1 [167], which raised to 1.19 × 10−3 S·cm−1 when calcined at 250 °C and measured at the same conditions, while the Ea value hardly changed from 0.16 to 0.2 eV. This behaviour was explained as being due to a dehydration–rehydration process that enhances proton conductivity by altering the H-bonding network and the pathway of proton transfer.
Another example of 3D open framework metal(III) pyrophosphate is the compound NH4TiP2O7 [177]. The structure of this solid is composed of negatively charged [TiP4O12]− layers, forming one-dimensional six-membered ring channels, where the NH4+ ions are located. Its proton conductivity increased from 10−6 S·cm−1 under anhydrous conditions to 10−3 S·cm−1 at full-hydration conditions and 84 °C. The low Ea value, 0.17 eV, characteristic of a Grotthuss-type proton-transfer mechanism, was associated with the role played by the NH4+ ions in the channels as proton donors and promoters of proton migration. A drop in proton conductivity was observed when the triclinic TiP2O7 phase formed by thermal decomposition of NH4TiP2O7 [177].
Great efforts have been devoted to the synthesis and characterization of metal phosphate-based proton conductors over more than three decades. Among them, zirconium phosphates are prominent not only because of the feasibility of Zr(IV) and phosphate ions to form a rich variety of crystallographic architectures (from 1D to 3D open frameworks) but also due to their outstanding properties and workability while being environmentally benign and low cost materials.
Although the prototype layered α-zirconium phosphate has been commonly proven as a filler for PEMFCs devices, new synthetic designs of M(IV) phosphates, including pyrophosphate compounds, are promising candidates to broaden their applicability in different electrochemical devices. Other M(IV) phosphates and pyrophosphates (M = Ti, Sn) are less known due, in part, to their amorphous nature or strong tendency to amorphise at working temperatures, though, in some cases, these compounds presented remarkable proton conductivity properties.
CsH2PO4, a super protonic material, was proven as a suitable electrolyte for both H2/O2 and direct methanol fuel cells operated at ~240 °C, and provides excellent performance when controlling its thermal stability. In addition, combinations with other materials are possible to adjust the specific characteristics of the composite CsH2PO4 electrolyte, thus, offering a wide range of compositions with tuning properties.
Recently, research and developments in metal phosphate proton conductors have been addressed to divalent or trivalent metal phosphates, which present a remarkable structural versatility and tunable conductivities; however, more in-depth studies are required to assess their potential use and applicability for low and intermediate temperature fuel cells.
Applications of metal phosphates as electrolytes or as electrolyte components are in continuous progress, although their use for energy storage and conversion remains a challenge. For practical applications in fuel cells at low/intermediate temperatures, phosphate-based proton conducting electrolytes have demonstrated acceptable proton conductivity values; however, other features, such as their mechanical strength, chemical/thermal stabilities, film-forming ability (in the case of composite membranes), durability, and fuel cross-over, are key factors to be improved.
Funding: This research was funded by PID2019−110249RB-I00 (MICIU/AEI, Spain) and PY20−00416 (Junta de Andalucia, Spain/FEDER) research projects.
Acknowledgments: M.B.G. thanks PAIDI2020 research grant (DOC_00272 Junta de Andalucia, Spain) and R.M.P.C. thanks University of Malaga under Plan Propio de Investigación for financial support.
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/ma15041292