Chemistry Letters, Vol.32, No.9, 836-837, 2003
A novel Bronsted acid-base system as anhydrous proton conductors for fuel cell electrolytes
A super-strong acid, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, was combined with 4,4-trimethylenedipyridine at various molar ratios to prepare a novel series of Bronsted acid-base ionic liquids. The protic neutral salt was electroactive for H-2 oxidation and O-2 reduction at a platinum electrode under non-humidifying condition, which shows the potential of pyridinal systems as new fuel cell electrolytes for elevated temperature operation and foretells the polymeric model of solid-state anhydrous proton conductors.