Deterioration of hydrogen-bonded superprotonic conductors belonging to CsHSO4–CsH2PO4–H2O salt system: a single-crystal neutron diffraction investigation

• Published in: Bulletin of materials science 2021-06, Vol.44 (2), p.108, Article 108
• Main Authors: Choudhury, R R, Chitra, R, Makarova, I P, Selezneva, E V, Komornikov, V A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystal structure; Crystals; Data collection; Deterioration; Engineering; Hydrogen atoms; Hydrogen bonding; Hydrogen bonds; Materials Science; Moisture content; Neutron diffraction; Neutrons; Proton conduction; Protons; Single crystals; Temperature; Unit cell
• ISSN: 0250-4707; 0973-7669
• DOI: 10.1007/s12034-021-02403-8

Single-crystal neutron diffraction investigation on Cs 4 (HSO 4 ) 3 (H 2 PO 4 ) and Cs 6 H(HSO 4 ) 3 (H 2 PO 4 ) 4 superprotonic crystals, belonging to CsHSO 4 –CsH 2 PO 4 –H 2 O salt system, is under taken to elucidate the precise hydrogen atom positions in these crystals. The investigation revealed that these crystals are very sensitive to the ambient conditions and can undergo deterioration due to fluctuation in air moisture content. Cs 6 H(HSO 4 ) 3 (H 2 PO 4 ) 4 crystals are more stable as compared to Cs 4 (HSO 4 ) 3 (H 2 PO 4 ). Crystal structure of Cs 6 H(HSO 4 ) 3 (H 2 PO 4 ) 4 is obtained both before and after deterioration, it is found that the asymmetric O–HO hydrogen bond between the PO 4 and SO 4 ions of this crystal becomes stronger after deterioration. This led to the shrinkage of the unit cell, and most likely prevented further deterioration. Diabatic state model for hydrogen bonds is used to obtain the energy contour for the O–H···O hydrogen bond of Cs 6 H(HSO 4 ) 3 (H 2 PO 4 ) 4 crystal. The influence of this change in the hydrogen bonding on the proton conduction ability of the crystal is discussed.