Defect dynamics of the dipole ordered water chain in a polar nanochannel

Using large single molecular porous crystals of ({[Co^III(H₂bim)₃](TATC)·7H₂O}_n), we have studied the dynamics of hydrated protons and configurational defects via the water chain by measuring the Raman and infrared spectra, and microwave conductivity. The highly one-dimensional water chain is affected by the periodic arrangement of charged groups, which yield short- and long-range interfacial interactions. Below a critical temperature (T_c) of about 270 K, the electric dipole of water molecules forming the water chain exhibits antiferroelectric ordering through weak long-range interpore correlation with spatial anisotropy. Above T_c, the small dielectric constant indicates that the antiferroelectric correlation remains, and the configuration of the oxygen atoms in the water molecules is restricted by the short-range interfacial interactions. The anisotropic microwave response with respect to the water chain originates from the Eigentype hydrated proton (protonic hole) accompanying local distortions, which mutually couples to the mobile configurational D (L) defect. The proton and protonic hole are introduced by self-dissociation of water molecules hydrogen bonded to the carboxylate, and the configurational defect is caused by the rotation of water molecules violating an ice rule. The effective mass of the hydrated proton (protonic hole) is enhanced, in combination with the configurational defect that behaves as the rate-determining step, and consequently the mobility is suppressed by two orders of magnitude compared with the water nanotube in the TMA salt. Owing to the integration of periodic charge-modulation effect during the transfer, we have experimentally clarified the dramatic suppression of one-dimensional proton conductivity and mobility for the first time.