The development of novel proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with high proton conductivity and good mechanical performance as alternatives to Nafion is crucial. Polyoxometalates (POMs), a type of solid-state nanoclusters, possess high proton conductivity and good structural stability, making them suitable functional inorganic fillers to improve the performance of PEMs. Herein, the Keggin-type POM H₃PW₁₂O₄₀·nH₂O (PW₁₂) was introduced into sulfonated polyaryletherketone (SPAEK) with closely packed and flexible side chains to construct hybrid membranes (SPAEK-PW₁₂-x%, x = 5, 10, 13, 15). Because of its structural characteristics, the nanosized PW₁₂ induced precise hybridization of the nanophase structure of this ionomeric polymer and the formation of proton transport channels. Additionally, the hydrogen-bonding networks formed by PW₁₂ and sulfonic acid groups increased the proton conductivity and mechanical strength of the resulting hybrid PEMs and improved the close-packed structure of the PEMs to achieve an appropriate balance between conductivity and fuel permeation. In particular, SPAEK-PW₁₂-13% achieved an enhanced proton conductivity of 0.167 S∙cm⁻¹ at 80 °C, which was 2.2 times greater than that of the pristine membrane. Moreover, the mechanical properties, chemical stability, resistance to methanol penetration, and ionic selectivity of the hybrid membrane were significantly improved upon addition of a moderate amount of PW₁₂. This work provides an approach for the design and development of new-generation organic–inorganic hybrid membranes through precise hybridization of POMs.

Solar vapor generation (SVG) represents a promising technique for seawater desalination to alleviate the global water crisis and energy shortage. One of its main bottleneck problems is that the evaporation efficiency and stability are limited by salt crystallization under high-salinity brines. Herein, we demonstrate that the 3D porous melamine-foam (MF) wrapped by a type of self-assembling composite materials based on reduced polyoxometalates (i.e. heteropoly blue, HPB), oleic acid (OA), and polypyrrole (PPy) (labeled with MF@HPB-PPy_n-OA) can serve as efficient and stable SVG material at high salinity. Structural characterizations of MF@HPB-PPy_n-OA indicate that both hydrophilic region of HPBs and hydrophobic region of OA co-exist on the surface of composite materials, optimizing the hydrophilic and hydrophobic interfaces of the SVG materials, and fully exerting its functionality for ultrahigh water-evaporation and anti-salt fouling. The optimal MF@HPB-PPy₁₀-OA operates continuously and stably for over 100 h in 10 wt% brine. Furthermore, MF@HPB-PPy₁₀-OA accomplishes complete salt-water separation of 10 wt% brine with 3.3 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1-sun irradiation, yielding salt harvesting efficiency of 96.5%, which belongs to the record high of high-salinity systems reported so far and is close to achieving zero liquid discharge. Moreover, the low cost of MF@HPB-PPy₁₀-OA (2.56 ＄ m⁻²) suggests its potential application in the practical SVG technique.