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Aqueous proton batteries (APBs) are regarded as one of the most promising energy storage devices for the next-generation batteries owing to their high safety, high power density and environmental friendliness, while the study of their electrolytes is still in the infancy regarding metal-based batteries. Herein, we present a double-network hydrogel as a quasi-solid-state electrolyte in a proton battery. Sulfonated poly(ether–ether–ketone) and an ethylene glycol/water solvent are incorporated within the poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel network to enhance the mechanical properties, resulting in a tensile strength of 4.37 MPa and a toughness strain of 663%. This composite also exhibits remarkable proton conductivity (8.8 × 10−3/1.1 × 10−1 S cm−1 at −35/70 °C, ambient humidity) and low temperature tolerance (−50 °C). A quasi-solid-state proton "rocking-chair" battery demonstrates stable cycling and high rate capability (77% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 A g−1 at 25 °C and 95% capacity retention rate over 100 cycles at −20 °C). This study provides a new possible practical application of hydrogel as a proton battery electrolyte, which could advance the development of proton electrochemical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two sets of 1D/2D lanthanide coordination polymers with formulas of Ln(oqa)3·2H2O [Hoqa = 2-(4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl) acetic acid, Ln = Dy (1), Yb (2)] and Ln(oaa)2(HCOO)(H2O) [Hoaa = 2-(9-oxoacridin-10(9H)-yl) acetic acid, Ln = Dy (3), Yb (4)] have been synthesized and their physical properties were investigated. All four complexes are constructed from seven-coordinate lanthanide ions and corresponding organic linkers. The lanthanide ions in 1 and 2 adopt a pentagonal bipyramid coordination geometry, whereas the coordination geometry of lanthanide ions in 3 and 4 can be described as a capped octahedron. Slow magnetic relaxation behaviors were observed in these four products at a zero/non-zero static magnetic field. Complexes 1, 2 and 4 exhibit the characteristic emission of Ln(III) ions, whereas complex 3 shows ligand-based emission. Bright yellow light emission was also observed when a voltage was applied, demonstrating the potential of 1 for application in light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Compounds 3 and 4 are the first examples of lanthanide complexes based on Hoaa ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two haloargentate hybrids, [Me-dabco]Ag2X3 (Me-dabco = 1-methyl-1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]octan-1-ium, X = I (1) or Br (2)), with the same formula but different structures have been synthesized by a slow evaporation method and characterized by microanalysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric, and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. Hybrid 1 consists of completely isolated [Ag4I6]2− clusters, while hybrid 2 exhibits a complicated one-dimensional (1D) chain structure formed by four different configurations of neutral chains and two dissimilar configurations of anionic chains. Hybrid 2 undergoes two reversible order–disorder phase transitions, while hybrid 1 displays one reversible and one irreversible structural phase transition. Both 1 and 2 displayed step-like dielectric anomalies in the vicinity of the phase transition temperature. The corresponding dielectric constants in the high dielectric states are approximately 13 and 6 times higher than those in the low dielectric states for 1 and 2, respectively. Interestingly, the subtle change of halides from I− to Br− significantly affects the aggregated structure of haloargentate, the phase transition, and dielectric behaviors, revealing the typical 'butterfly effect' with the ion radii of halides in these two haloargentate hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrated the unique advantage of a mechanochemical reaction to prepare a salt with hard and soft acid and base ions concurrently by solution synthesis owing to the soft acid preferring to combine with the soft base and vice versa. We prepared Bu4N1−xLixMnxPb1−xI3 (x = 0.011−0.14) by mechanochemical synthesis. The doping induced a structural phase transition at ∼342 K and much enhancement of ionic conduction above 342 K for all co-doped hybrids regarding Bu4NPbI3 because of the voids around the Mn2+/Li+ ions by doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli-responsive smart materials have applications in a range of technologies. Herein, we present a hybrid (1), built from Me3EtN+ organic cations and {Cu2I3−}∞ inorganic chains with Cu⋯Cu metal⋯metal interactions. The two-step phase transition undergone in 1 on the first heating and the phase transition at a lower temperature show symmetry-broken features, leading to switchable dielectrics; the one at a higher temperature displays isomorphic characteristics. Besides the switchable dielectrics, 1 exhibited other multi-stimuli-responsive functionalities, including thermochromism and piezochromism. Combining temperature-dependent powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as variable-temperature UV-visible absorption spectrum and EPR spectrum analyses, it is demonstrated that the thermochromism is due to the synergy of anharmonic fluctuations with electron–phonon couplings, and the piezochromism arises from compression inducing a lattice distortion in 1. Our study provides insight into understanding the thermochromic and piezochromic mechanisms of cuprous halide-based hybrids, and paves a pathway for designing new multi-stimuli-responsive hybrid materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]