We utilize ab initio quantum mechanical calculations in order to explore structural conformations and cooperative mechanisms at a minimally hydrated 2D array of flexible acidic surface groups. This system serves as a model for rationalizing interactions and correlations of protons and water with ionized side chains that are affixed to hydrophobic polymer aggregates in polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs). The model exhibits two basic minimum energy configurations upon varying the separation of surface groups from 5 to 12 A. In the "upright" structure at small separation, surface groups are fully dissociated and oriented perpendicular to the basal plane. Together with hydronium ions (H3O+) they form a highly ordered network with long-range correlations. At larger separations we found the transition to a "tilted" structure with cluster-like conformation of surface groups. This structure retains only short-range correlations. Moreover, we investigated the strength of water binding to the minimally hydrated structures. At small separations between surface groups, an additional water molecule interacts only weakly with the minimally hydrated array (binding energy < 0.1 eV) while the energy needed to remove one water molecule exceeds 1 eV. This shows that the minimally hydrated systems are very stable. Ideally, these studies would expedite the design of cheap, highly performing PEMs for fuel cells, with a major focus on membranes that could operate stably at minimal hydration and elevated temperatures (>120 degrees C).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.