A Novel Brønsted 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 Brønsted acid–base ionic liquids. The protic neutral salt was electroactive for H2 oxidation and O2 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.