Advances in Organic Self-Assembly Based Proton-Conducting Materials

Molecules can form a self-assembly defined microstructure by phase segregation,static and hydrogen bonding effects.Self-organization of hydrogen bonding or functional groups such as sulfonic acid and imidazole in organic materials will form continuous proton-conducting pathways to transfer protons stably by Grutthuss or Vehicle mechanism.Proton conduction can be achieved either in multi-components systems or in pure chemicals.Advances in proton-conducting materials based on organic self-assembly are reviewed.Performance of amphipathic polymer-water systems,acid-base composites,block copolymers,organic-inorganic composites and liquid crystals are also outlined.