Atomically thin micas as proton-conducting membranes

Inleiding: Recent work from CMT researchers (Dr Bacaksiz and Prof Peeters) provide theoretical support for experiments done in Manchester which show that micas are excellent proton conducting membranes.

(Physworld News) One-atom thick materials like graphene (a 2D sheet of carbon) conduct protons extremely well but they become impermeable to protons the thicker they get. Indeed, 2D molybdenum sulphide (MoS2) becomes completely impermeable to protons at just three atoms thick. A team of researchers from the UK, China and Belgium (CMT group at University of Antwerp) has now found that materials known as ion-exchanged micas are highly efficient proton conductors even when they are ten atoms thick. ...