Spacer-engineered Ionic Channels in Covalent Organic Framework Membrane toward Ultrafast Proton Transport.

Side chain engineering of covalent organic frameworks as advanced ion conductors is a critical issue to be explored. Herein, ionic covalent organic framework membranes (iCOFMs) with spacer-engineered ionic channel were de novo designed and prepared. The ionic channels were decorated with side chains comprising of spacers having different carbon chain lengths and the -SO 3 H groups at the end. Attributed to the synergistic contribution from the spacers and the -SO 3 H groups, the iCOFM with moderate-length spacer exhibited the highest through-plane proton conductivity of 889 mS cm -1 at 90 °C. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.