Metal phosphonates are multifunctional solids with remarkable stability and proton conducting properties owing
to their structure is usually composed of extended hydrogen-bond networks that favor proton transfer pathways [1].
Moreover, these properties can be enhanced by appropriate modification of the synthesis conditions [2, 3].
In this communication, a new family of isostructural 2D layered compounds based on lanthanide nitrilotris-methylphosphonates
is reported. These compounds have been isolated at room temperature and have the general formula Ln[N(CH2)3(PO3H2)2(PO3H)(H2O)]SO4·2H2O (Ln= Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb). The coordination environment
of Ln3+ is composed by eight oxygen atoms from three different ligands and two oxygens from bound waters.
This connectivity creates positive charged layers connected to sulfate ions through hydrogen-bonds. These compounds
show promising proton conductivity with values ranging between 7.6·10-2 and 3.8·10-2 S·cm-1 at 80 °C and 95% RH
and low activation energy corresponding to Grotthuss-type proton transfer mechanism. In addition, a structural transformation
occurs at T > 70 °C accompanied by a remarkable enhanced conductivity. Studies on the structure-properties relationships will be discussed.
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