Issue 10, 2019

Superionic conduction along ordered hydroxyl networks in molecular-thin nanosheets

Abstract

Despite both hydronium and hydroxide ions exhibiting anomalously high mobilities in aqueous solutions, OH conduction in solid electrolytes is considerably slower than that of H+, impeding a paradigm shift to many renewable energy and bioelectronic applications in an alkaline environment. Herein, we present that the mobility/diffusivity of hydroxide ions along a 2D ordered hydroxyl network can reach a level comparable to that of proton/hydroxide ion conduction in diluted acids/bases and some artificial or biomolecular proton conductors. Such a superionic conduction characteristic was quantified via direct measurements on individual single-layer nanosheets of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). A combined simulations study revealed that the superior hydroxide ion conduction was directly correlated with the hydroxyl network on an LDH sheet, which served as both a free hydroxide ion donor and 2D hopping lane in the presence of water. It was also revealed that the surface conduction was generally ∼1 order of magnitude faster than that along the gallery between nanosheets. This work provides insights into the origin and intrinsic mechanism of hydroxide ion conduction along ordered hydrogen-bonded nanostructures, which might inspire the creation of superionic functional materials in other systems.

Graphical abstract: Superionic conduction along ordered hydroxyl networks in molecular-thin nanosheets

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
10 Apr. 2019
Accepted
08 Jūl. 2019
First published
08 Jūl. 2019

Mater. Horiz., 2019,6, 2087-2093

Superionic conduction along ordered hydroxyl networks in molecular-thin nanosheets

P. Sun, F. Chen, W. Zhou, X. Liu, R. Ma and T. Sasaki, Mater. Horiz., 2019, 6, 2087 DOI: 10.1039/C9MH00549H

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