Observation of quasi-one dimensional proton conductions in molecular porous crystal [Co^III(H₂bim)₃](TMA).20H₂O

Triple-layered hydration structure called water nanotube (WNT) is created inside the hydrophilic nanochannel framework in [Co^III(H ₂bim)₃](TMA).20H₂O. The present infrared spectral analysis for OH stretching vibrations reveals that the mobile water molecules in WNT fundamentally occupy the regular coordination tetrahedrally arranged by hydrogen bonds. The noncontact microwave experiment demonstrates that the thermal activation-type electrical conductivity along the tube axis reaches to the identical order of 10^-2 (ωcm)^-1 to the high protonic conductivity in Nafion. The pronounced isotope effect and distinct anisotropy of the conductivity prove the occurrence of quasi one-dimensional (Q1D) proton conductions through the well regulated water network.