Exploiting the Multifunctionality of M/Imidazole-Etidronates for Proton Conductivity (Zn) and Electrocatalysis (Co, Ni) toward the HER, OER, and ORR.

This work deals with the synthesis and characterization of one-dimensional (1D) imidazole-containing etidronates, [M(ETID)(Im)]·HO (M = Co and Ni; = 0, 1, 3) and [Zn(ETID)(HO)](Im), as well as the corresponding Co/Ni solid solutions, to evaluate their properties as multipurpose materials for energy conversion processes. Depending on the water content, metal ions in the isostructural Co and Ni derivatives are octahedrally coordinated ( = 3) or consist of octahedral together with dimeric trigonal bipyramidal ( = 1) or square pyramidal ( = 0) environments. The imidazole molecule acts as a ligand (Co, Ni derivatives) or charge-compensating protonated species (Zn derivative).