Fast proton conductors for low humidity: hydrophilic sulfonated and phosphonated polysilsesquioxanes with Al–O–P crosslinks

Abstract

Proton-conducting polysilsesquioxane oligomers with core–shell structures consisting of hydrophilic silica-rich cores surrounded by an organic layer with sulfonic and phosphonic acid groups were synthesized. They were crosslinked by mixing with phosphoric acid and aluminum ions to form a hydrophilic Al–O–P framework. The resulting polymers were clear, uniform, flexible, and exhibited a high proton conductivity above 100 °C in non-humidified low-humidity air (∼22 mS cm⁻¹ at 120 °C and ∼1%RH) because of their high sulfonic acid concentration and high water retention capability.