Atomic Two-Dimensional Materials as Solid Proton Conductors: Achieving the Shortest Proton Transfer Distance with High Selectivity for Energy Applications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-13-2026

Abstract

Solid proton conductors play a crucial role in advancing sustainable energy technologies. Atomic-scale solid proton conductors, only one atom thick, represent the ultimate limit for proton exchange membranes. They offer unique advantages including near-perfect selectivity, precise control over lattice pore size, and the ability to operate under diverse conditions. These features position them as highly promising candidates for next-generation energy applications. Nevertheless, the fundamental mechanism of proton transport through these pristine materials remains a subject of debate, hindering rational material design and limiting the full exploitation of their potential. This article provides a perspective on this emerging field, offering an overview of the unusual proton conductivity, exceptional selectivity, and energy applications of atomic-scale solid proton conductors along with a critical analysis of the contested mechanisms of proton permeation. Particular emphasis is placed on the key discrepancies between the observed phenomenon and the proton transport mechanism.

Publication Title

ACS Energy Letters

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