Volume 132, Issue 20 pp. 7806-7811
Zuschrift

A Light-Responsive Metal–Organic Framework Hybrid Membrane with High On/Off Photoswitchable Proton Conductivity

Dr. Hong-Qing Liang

Dr. Hong-Qing Liang

Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249 USA

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Dr. Yi Guo

Dr. Yi Guo

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 P. R. China

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Yanshu Shi

Yanshu Shi

Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249 USA

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Prof. Xinsheng Peng

Corresponding Author

Prof. Xinsheng Peng

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 P. R. China

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Dr. Bin Liang

Corresponding Author

Dr. Bin Liang

Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249 USA

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Prof. Banglin Chen

Corresponding Author

Prof. Banglin Chen

Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249 USA

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First published: 23 February 2020
Citations: 7

Abstract

Mimicking biological proton pumps to achieve stimuli-responsive protonic solids has long been of great interest for their diverse applications in fuel cells, chemical sensors, and bio-electronic devices. Now, dynamic light-responsive metal–organic framework hybrid membranes can be obtained by in situ encapsulation of photoactive molecules (sulfonated spiropyran, SSP), as the molecular valve, into the cavities of the host ZIF-8. The configuration of SSP can be changed and switched reversibly in response to light, generating different mobile acidic protons and thus high on/off photoswitchable proton conductivity in the hybrid membranes and device. This device exhibits a high proton conductivity, fast response time, and extremely large on/off ratio upon visible-light irradiation. This approach might provide a platform for creating emerging smart protonic solids with potential applications in the remote-controllable chemical sensors or proton-conducting field-effect transistors.

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