Capacitive deionization electrode, capacitive deionization assembly, preparation method and water purification equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of water purification, and provides a capacitive deionization electrode, an assembly, a preparation method and water purification equipment. The preparation method of the capacitive deionization electrode comprises the following steps: mixing an adsorbent, a binder and a conductive agent according to a preset proportion to prepare electrode slurry; coating a current collector with the electrode slurry to form an electrode slurry layer; and performing chemical treatment on the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer. According to the preparation method of the capacitive deionization electrode provided by the embodiment of the invention, the electrode slurry layer is subjected to chemical treatment, so that the ion exchange layer is formed on the surface of the electrode slurry layer, and active groups on the ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode can capture or convert target ions more quickly and more efficiently; the desalting rate of the water purification equipment can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water purification technology, and in particular to capacitive deionization electrodes, components, preparation methods, and water purification equipment. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, people's requirements for water quality are increasing. Existing water purification solutions typically use ion exchange membranes to treat water ions, such as electrodialysis and membrane capacitive deionization technology. However, ion exchange membranes are costly and prone to bacterial growth after prolonged use, making them unsuitable for ordinary households. While existing capacitive deionization electrodes without ion exchange membranes have solved the bacterial growth problem, their deionization efficiency is insufficient to meet the needs of both mineral water and purified water in households. Therefore, developing a capacitive deionization electrode with high adsorption capacity to improve the desalination rate of the device can effectively promote the application and popularization of capacitive deionization technology in ordinary households. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the related art. To this end, this application proposes a method for preparing a capacitive deionization electrode. By chemically treating the electrode slurry layer, an ion exchange layer can be formed on the surface of the electrode slurry layer. The active groups on the ion exchange layer located on the electrode surface can capture or convert target ions more quickly and efficiently, which can effectively improve the desalination rate of water purification equipment.

[0004] This application also proposes a capacitive deionization electrode.

[0005] This application also proposes a capacitive deionization electrode assembly.

[0006] This application also proposes a water purification device.

[0007] The method for preparing a capacitive deionization electrode according to the first aspect of this application includes the following steps: An electrode slurry is prepared by mixing an adsorbent, a binder, and a conductive agent in a preset ratio. Electrode paste is coated onto the current collector to form an electrode paste layer; The electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form an ion exchange layer on its surface.

[0008] According to the method for preparing the capacitive deionization electrode according to the embodiments of this application, by chemically treating the electrode slurry layer, an ion exchange layer can be formed on the surface of the electrode slurry layer. The active groups on the ion exchange layer on the electrode surface can capture or convert target ions more quickly and efficiently, which can effectively improve the desalination rate of the water purification equipment.

[0009] Furthermore, since the active groups of the ion exchange layer are mainly distributed in the ion exchange layer, the occupation of the adsorption layer of the electrode slurry layer is reduced. Therefore, the physical adsorption capacity of the electrode slurry can be maintained to the maximum extent, thus taking into account both the adsorption effect and the ion screening effect.

[0010] According to one embodiment of this application, the chemical treatment of the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer includes: The chemical treatment solution is coated onto the surface of the electrode slurry layer; The treatment solution on the surface of the electrode slurry layer is dried.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this application, the chemical treatment is a sulfonation treatment; the treatment solution used in the sulfonation treatment is a sulfuric acid solution or an ammonium sulfate solution with a concentration of 0.1% to 70%; the treatment temperature is 50°C to 95°C, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours.

[0012] According to one embodiment of this application, the chemical treatment is an amination treatment, and the treatment solution used for the amination treatment is ammonia water, polyethylene polyamine solution, or ethylenediamine solution. The concentration of ammonia water is 0.1% to 28%, and the concentration of polyethylene polyamine is not less than 90%. The treatment temperature is 20°C to 150°C, the treatment pressure is 0.1 MPa to 0.5 MPa, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this application, it includes: Clean the chemically treated electrode slurry layer; Detect the presence of target active groups on the surface of the electrode slurry layer; If the target active group is present, the ion exchange layer is confirmed to be complete. If the target active group is not present, the step of chemically treating the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer is repeated.

[0014] According to one embodiment of this application, the detection of whether the target active groups exist on the surface of the electrode slurry layer includes: The electrode slurry layer after cleaning was detected using an infrared spectroscopy detector; If a characteristic absorption peak corresponding to the chemical bond of the target active group is observed in the infrared spectrum, then the target active group is present. If the characteristic absorption peak is not observed in the infrared spectrum, then the target active group is not present.

[0015] According to one embodiment of this application, the thickness ratio of the ion exchange layer to the electrode slurry layer is 1:5 to 1:3, the thickness of the electrode slurry layer is 50μm-240μm, and the thickness of the ion exchange layer is 10μm-80μm.

[0016] According to one embodiment of this application, coating the electrode paste onto the current collector to form an electrode paste layer includes: Electrode paste is coated onto the first end face of the current collector to form a first electrode paste layer, and electrode paste is coated onto the second end face of the current collector to form a second electrode paste layer; The chemical treatment of the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer includes: The first electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form a first ion exchange layer on the surface of the first electrode slurry layer; The second electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form a second ion exchange layer on the surface of the second electrode slurry layer, wherein the ion selectivity of the first ion exchange layer and the second ion exchange layer is the same or opposite.

[0017] According to one embodiment of this application, the chemical treatment of the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer includes: The first electrode slurry layer is subjected to sulfonation treatment; the treatment solution used for sulfonation treatment is sulfuric acid solution or ammonium sulfate solution with a concentration of 0.1% to 70%; the treatment temperature is 50°C to 95°C, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours; The second electrode slurry layer is subjected to amination treatment. The treatment solution used for amination treatment is ammonia water or polyethylene polyamine solution, with the ammonia water concentration being 0.1% to 28% and the polyethylene polyamine concentration being not less than 90%. The treatment temperature is 20℃ to 150℃, the treatment pressure is 0.1Mpa to 0.5Mpa, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours.

[0018] The capacitive deionization electrode according to the second aspect of this application is prepared using the above-described method for preparing a capacitive deionization electrode, including: current collector; The electrode slurry layer includes an adsorption layer and an ion exchange layer. The adsorption layer is disposed on the surface of the current collector, and the ion exchange layer is disposed on the surface of the adsorption layer. The ion exchange layer includes active groups, and the active groups have ion exchange functions.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the third aspect of this application, the capacitive deionization electrode assembly includes: First electrode; The second electrode is disposed opposite to the first electrode; At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is the aforementioned capacitive deionization electrode.

[0020] The water purification device according to the fourth aspect of this application includes: A filter element assembly, the filter element assembly including the aforementioned capacitive deionization electrode.

[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or related technologies of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the steps in the preparation method of the capacitive deionization electrode provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the water purification and regeneration process of the capacitive deionization electrode provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the water inlet process of the capacitor deionization electrode assembly provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the regeneration process of the capacitor deionization electrode assembly provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the capacitive deionization electrode provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0028] Figure label: 113. Ion exchange layer; 114. Current collector; 115. Adsorption layer; 116. Electrode slurry layer. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this application, but should not be used to limit the scope of this application.

[0030] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections or detachable connections, wherein a fixed connection can include an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0033] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0034] According to the method for preparing the capacitive deionization electrode proposed in the embodiments of this application, refer to... Figure 1 This includes the following steps: Step 100: Prepare electrode slurry by mixing adsorbent, binder and conductive agent in a preset ratio; Step 200: Apply electrode paste to current collector 114 to form electrode paste layer 116; Step 300: Chemically treat the electrode slurry layer 116 to form an ion exchange layer 113 on the surface of the electrode slurry layer 116.

[0035] According to the method for preparing the capacitive deionization electrode according to the embodiments of this application, the electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form an ion exchange layer 113 on the surface of the electrode slurry layer 116. The active groups on the ion exchange layer 113 on the electrode surface can capture or convert target ions more quickly and efficiently, which can effectively improve the desalination rate of the water purification equipment.

[0036] Understandably, by subjecting the coated electrode slurry layer to targeted chemical treatment in step 300, an "ion exchange layer" rich in specific active groups is constructed in situ on its surface. This ion exchange layer 113 serves as the primary interface between the electrode and the treatment solution. Its active sites can rapidly respond to changes in the electric field, preferentially and efficiently capturing or converting target ions (such as specific salt ions or pollutants). This achieves efficient screening and enrichment in the initial stage of ion adsorption, directly contributing to a significant improvement in desalination efficiency and selectivity.

[0037] Understandably, the adsorption layer of the electrode slurry primarily functions as a physical adsorption and charge storage layer. Its porous structure and high specific surface area are fully preserved, ensuring the electrode's high adsorption capacity and excellent electrochemical stability. The surface ion exchange layer 113 is dedicated to chemical recognition and rapid reaction. Since the active functions are mainly concentrated in the surface ion exchange layer 113, clogging or occupation of the pores within the bulk electrode slurry is avoided, thus maximizing the preservation of the electrode's intrinsic high-capacity physical adsorption potential. The final electrode not only possesses a high desalination rate and excellent ion selectivity conferred by the surface ion exchange layer 113, but also high adsorption capacity and long cycle life guaranteed by its intact internal structure, successfully achieving a balance between adsorption and ion screening performance.

[0038] Understandably, referring to Figure 2 The ion exchange layer 113 contains -SO3H, -COOH, and -NH. X R YActive groups such as (X+Y=4 or X+Y=2) and -C6H4OH can promote the electrode's screening of ions with opposite charges, facilitating the passage of counterions while blocking like-charged ions and promoting ion exchange. Blocking like ions reduces their occupation of active sites, improving the effective utilization rate of the activated carbon electrode and increasing the system's charge efficiency. The active groups are directly incorporated into the activated carbon electrode, eliminating the need for an additional membrane framework and reducing dependence on ion exchange membranes. Furthermore, no additional membrane assembly process is required, significantly reducing process complexity.

[0039] According to one embodiment of this application, chemically treating the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer 113 on the surface of the electrode slurry layer 116 includes: The chemical treatment solution is coated onto the surface of the electrode paste layer; The treatment solution on the surface of the electrode slurry layer is dried.

[0040] It is understood that coating includes one or more of the following: immersion coating, blade coating, spin coating, dip coating, and spray coating. Different coating methods are suitable for different electrode substrate morphologies.

[0041] Understandably, during the drying process, the concentration of the treatment solution is gradually increased to ensure a thorough reaction between the solution and the electrode slurry. Essentially, this is an in-situ gradient concentration and reaction process. As the solvent slowly evaporates, the concentration of reactants in the treatment solution gradually increases, promoting a gentle, gradual, and thorough chemical reaction. This method avoids problems such as localized supersaturation of reactants, coarse crystals, or uneven reaction caused by rapid solvent evaporation, ensuring that the functional components in the treatment solution can fully and uniformly interact and bond with the surface of the electrode slurry layer.

[0042] Slow concentration changes provide better thermodynamic and kinetic conditions for chemical reactions, which helps to maximize the effective loading of active groups on the electrode surface and may form more ideal chemical bonding modes, thereby improving the utilization efficiency and long-term stability of active sites.

[0043] According to one embodiment of this application, the chemical treatment is sulfonation; the treatment solution used for sulfonation is a sulfuric acid solution or an ammonium sulfate solution with a concentration of 0.1% to 70%; the treatment temperature is 50°C to 95°C, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours.

[0044] Understandably, sulfonation aims to introduce strongly acidic, negatively charged active groups such as sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H) onto the surface of the electrode slurry layer using sulfuric acid or ammonium sulfate solution. Under the influence of an electric field, these groups can efficiently and rapidly capture cations (such as Na+) from water through electrostatic attraction. + Ca 2+ Mg 2+(etc.), while suppressing the approach of anions through the repulsion effect, thereby significantly improving the selectivity and rate of cation removal by the electrode.

[0045] Understandably, by adjusting sulfonation parameters (such as concentration, processing temperature, and processing time), the thickness of the ion exchange layer 113 can be optimized, thereby achieving high ion selectivity while ensuring the durability of the ion exchange layer 113 during long-term electrochemical cycling.

[0046] Preferably, the treatment solution is a sulfuric acid solution or an ammonium sulfate solution, and the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution or ammonium sulfate solution is 0.1%-0.5%. The treatment temperature is 80℃-95℃, and the treatment time is 2 hours-3 hours.

[0047] Understandably, during the drying process, the concentration of the treatment solution is gradually increased to promote a full reaction with the electrode slurry. Initially, a sulfuric acid or ammonium sulfate solution with a concentration of 0.1%-0.5% is used, and the concentration is gradually increased over time. This makes the initial reaction relatively slow, facilitating operation and control. The concentration of the treatment solution continues to rise during the drying process. After a treatment time of 2 to 3 hours, it is ensured that the sulfuric acid or ammonium sulfate solution fully reacts on the surface of the electrode slurry layer, introducing sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H).

[0048] Understandably, the higher the initial concentration of sulfuric acid or ammonium sulfate solution, the shorter the processing time can be.

[0049] It should be noted that the present invention uses sulfonation methods such as sulfuric acid / ammonium sulfate to give the negative electrode a sulfonic acid group (-SO3H). In addition, other methods can also be used to give the electrode anion-blocking groups such as -COOH and -C6H4OH. Using such methods in the electro-deionization system is within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0050] According to one embodiment of this application, the chemical treatment is an amination treatment, and the treatment solution used for the amination treatment is ammonia water, polyethylene polyamine solution, or ethylenediamine solution. The concentration of ammonia water is 0.1% to 28%, and the concentration of polyethylene polyamine is not less than 90%. The treatment temperature is 20°C to 150°C, the treatment pressure is 0.1 MPa to 0.5 MPa, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 100 hours.

[0051] Understandably, amination treatment introduces nitrogen-containing active groups such as amino (-NH2) and imine groups onto the electrode surface using reagents such as ammonia or polyethylenepolyamines. Under the influence of an electric field, these groups can efficiently and rapidly capture anions in water through electrostatic attraction, while simultaneously inhibiting the approach of cations through a repulsion effect, thereby significantly improving the electrode's selectivity and rate for cation removal.

[0052] Understandably, by adjusting amination parameters (such as concentration, processing temperature, processing pressure, and processing time), the thickness of the ion exchange layer 113 can be optimized, thereby achieving high ion selectivity while ensuring the durability of the ion exchange layer 113 during long-term electrochemical cycling.

[0053] Preferably, the treatment solution is an ethylenediamine solution or a polyethylene polyamine solution, the concentration of the ethylenediamine solution or polyethylene polyamine solution is not less than 90%, the treatment temperature is 80℃-95℃, and the treatment time is 2 hours-3 hours.

[0054] It should be noted that the present invention uses ammonia / polyethylene polyamine and other amination methods to make the positive electrode have amino groups (-NH4, -NH3R, -NH2R2, -NHR3, -NR4, -NH2, -NHR, -NR2, etc.). In addition, other methods can be used to make the electrode have amino / amine / ammonium salts, which is equally effective. Using this method in the electro-deionization system is within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0055] According to one embodiment of this application, it includes: Clean the chemically treated electrode slurry layer; Detect the presence of target active groups on the surface of the electrode slurry layer; If the target active group is present, the completion of ion exchange layer 113 is confirmed. If the target active group is not present, the step of chemically treating the electrode slurry layer 116 again to form an ion exchange layer 113 on the surface of the electrode slurry layer is repeated.

[0056] Understandably, cleaning after chemical treatment aims to remove physically adsorbed, unreacted residual treatment liquid, byproducts, or impurities from the electrode surface. This step ensures that the target signal (active groups) for subsequent detection originates entirely from the chemically bonded portion of the electrode material, avoiding false positive interference and guaranteeing the cleanliness and chemical stability of the final electrode product.

[0057] The presence of pre-defined target active groups (such as sulfonic acid groups, amino groups, etc.) on the surface of the electrode slurry layer is directly detected using specific analytical methods (such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc.). Based on the detection result of "present" or "absent," if the target group is not present, the chemical treatment step is instructed to be "re-executed." This ensures that the ion exchange layer 113 of each batch or each electrode has been successfully incorporating the target functional groups, guaranteeing the reliability of the desalination performance of the final capacitive deion electrode product.

[0058] According to one embodiment of this application, detecting the presence of target active groups on the surface of ion exchange layer 113 includes: The electrode slurry layer 116 after cleaning was detected using an infrared spectroscopy detector. If a characteristic absorption peak corresponding to the chemical bond of the target active group is observed in the infrared spectrum, then the target active group is present. If no characteristic absorption peak is observed in the infrared spectrum, the target active group is not present.

[0059] It is understandable that specific chemical bonds or functional groups in a molecule have characteristic absorption peaks in the infrared region. For example, the sulfonic acid group (-SO3H) introduced by sulfonation will have a peak at approximately 1030 cm⁻¹. -1 -1200cm -1 (S=O stretching vibration) and approximately 1150 cm -1 -1250cm -1 Characteristic peaks appear in (O=S=O symmetric / asymmetric stretching); amino groups (-NH2) introduced by amination treatment will appear at approximately 3300 cm⁻¹. -1 -3500cm -1 A characteristic peak appears (NH stretching vibration). By comparing the infrared spectra of the electrodes before and after treatment, it is possible to directly, non-destructively, and qualitatively confirm whether the target active group has been successfully grafted onto the electrode surface.

[0060] According to one embodiment of this application, the thickness ratio of the ion exchange layer 113 to the electrode slurry layer 116 is 1:5 to 1:3, the thickness of the electrode slurry layer 116 is 50 μm-240 μm, and the thickness of the ion exchange layer 113 is 10 μm-80 μm. Preferably, the thickness of the ion exchange layer 113 is 10 μm-30 μm. It is understood that the thickness of the electrode slurry layer 116 (50 μm-240 μm) ensures that the electrode has sufficient volume to construct a rich porous structure and a large specific surface area, while the thickness of the ion exchange layer 113 (10 μm-100 μm) makes the ion exchange layer sufficiently thin, allowing the adsorption layer 115 to be relatively thicker. This avoids clogging or encroachment on the pore structure of the adsorption layer 115, thereby maximizing the preservation of its intrinsic high adsorption capacity potential. Furthermore, the ion exchange layer 113 is located on the outermost layer and can be dedicated to establishing ion-selective channels. The two work together to successfully combine the advantages of high capacity of traditional capacitive adsorption electrodes and high selectivity of ion exchange membranes, while avoiding the increased cost and process complexity caused by the additional use of ion exchange membranes.

[0061] According to one embodiment of this application, coating an electrode paste onto a current collector 114 to form an electrode paste layer 116 includes: Electrode paste is coated onto the first end face of the current collector 114 to form a first electrode paste layer, and electrode paste is coated onto the second end face of the current collector 114 to form a second electrode paste layer; Chemically treating the electrode slurry layer 116 to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer 116 includes: The first electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form a first ion exchange layer on the surface of the first electrode slurry layer; The second electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form a second ion exchange layer on its surface. The ion selectivity of the first ion exchange layer and the second ion exchange layer is the same or opposite.

[0062] It is understandable that if both sides are subjected to the same chemical treatment, a symmetrical electrode with the same ion selectivity on both sides can be prepared. In the capacitive deionization process, both surfaces of the electrode can simultaneously serve as effective working surfaces to participate in ion adsorption.

[0063] If opposite chemical treatments are applied to both sides, a single electrode integrates opposite selective functions. When a voltage is applied, the electrode can adsorb cations on one side and release cations on the other, or exchange the polarity of the electrode, allowing it to adsorb anions on one side and release anions on the other, forming a clean water channel on one side and a wastewater channel on the other. By switching between the positive and reverse voltages of the power supply component, and in conjunction with the water circuit control component, uninterrupted water purification can be performed.

[0064] According to one embodiment of this application, chemically treating the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer 113 on the surface of the electrode slurry layer 116 includes: The first electrode slurry layer is subjected to sulfonation treatment; the treatment solution used for sulfonation treatment is sulfuric acid solution or ammonium sulfate solution with a concentration of 0.1% to 70%; the treatment temperature is 50℃ to 95℃, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours. The second electrode slurry layer is subjected to amination treatment. The treatment solution used for amination treatment is ammonia water or polyethylene polyamine solution. The concentration of ammonia water is 0.1% to 28%, and the concentration of polyethylene polyamine is not less than 90%. The treatment temperature is 20℃ to 150℃, the treatment pressure is 0.1Mpa to 0.5Mpa, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours.

[0065] According to one embodiment of this application, the adsorbent includes one or more of activated carbon, graphene, and carbon aerogel; the binder includes one or more of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyvinylidene fluoride, and polytetrafluoroethylene; and the conductive agent includes one or more of carbon black, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and polyaniline.

[0066] According to one embodiment of this application, the preset ratio of adsorbent, binder and conductive agent is: adsorbent 70%-95%, binder 3%-15%, conductive agent 2%-15%, and the sum of the weight percentages of each component is 100%.

[0067] According to one embodiment of this application, coating an electrode paste onto a current collector 114 to form an electrode paste layer includes: Drying electrode paste; Electrode slurry is rolled or coated.

[0068] To verify the effectiveness of this method, various electrodes were prepared and their desalination performance was tested. The tests were conducted in a standard capacitive deionization module, with ion removal rate as the key evaluation indicator. An untreated ordinary activated carbon electrode, labeled "Activated Carbon Electrode No. 0," served as a control. Specific implementation examples are shown below: Example 1 uses an electrode system with titanium foil as the current collector and activated carbon as the adsorbent. The electrode is treated in situ with a 0.1%-50% sulfuric acid or ammonium sulfate solution. Treatment methods include, but are not limited to, soaking, scraping, and spraying. The electrode is then left to stand at a specific temperature (0-200°C) for 0.5-100 hours to imbue the electrode surface with sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H). These sulfonic acid groups can be detected using infrared spectroscopy and other analytical methods. The electrode is then assembled into a CDI testing module, effectively increasing the adsorption capacity per unit area. The resulting electrode is designated as activated carbon electrode 1, and the untreated electrode is designated as activated carbon electrode 0.

[0069] positive electrode negative electrode Ion removal rate (mg / m²·min) (electrode area) Activated carbon electrode No. 0 Activated carbon electrode No. 0 55.5 Activated carbon electrode No. 0 Activated carbon electrode No. 1 74.2 Example 2 uses an electrode system with titanium foil as the current collector and activated carbon as the adsorbent. The activated carbon is pretreated by sulfonating the activated carbon powder with ammonium sulfate or ammonium sulfate solution. The mass concentration of ammonium sulfate / sulfuric acid solution is 0.1%-98%, and the mass ratio of ammonium sulfate to activated carbon is 1:20-10:1. The reaction temperature is room temperature-200℃, and the reaction time is 0.5-100 hours. After the reaction is complete, the activated carbon powder is washed until the pH is above 6, and an activated carbon electrode is prepared. The obtained electrode is called Activated Carbon Electrode No. 2. One or more of the electrode components are pretreated. The electrode components include active ingredient: activated carbon; binder: sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, styrene-butadiene rubber, PVDF, PTFE, etc.; conductive agent: carbon black, graphene, carbon nanotubes, PANI, etc. The pretreatment scheme uses concentrated sulfuric acid, ammonium sulfate, and carboxyl groups to pretreat it to impart sulfonic acid groups or carboxyl groups, enabling cation exchange function. Ammonolysis or amination reactions are used to impart amino groups, enabling anion exchange function.

[0070] positive electrode negative electrode Ion removal rate (mg / m²·min) (electrode area) Activated carbon electrode No. 0 Activated carbon electrode No. 0 55.5 Activated carbon electrode No. 0 Activated carbon electrode No. 2 61.1 Example 3 uses an electrode system with titanium foil as the current collector and activated carbon as the adsorbent. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is amination treated with ammonia water at a concentration of 5%-28%, at a reaction temperature of 20-150℃, and at a reaction pressure of 0.1-5 MPa. The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose prepared by the above method is used as the adhesive for the activated carbon electrode system. Other electrode components include: activated carbon; binders: styrene-butadiene rubber, PVDF, PTFE, etc.; and conductive agents: carbon black, graphene, carbon nanotubes, PANI, etc. The activated carbon electrode is named Activated Carbon Electrode No. 3.

[0071] positive electrode negative electrode Ion removal rate (mg / m²·min) (electrode area) Activated carbon electrode No. 0 Activated carbon electrode No. 0 55.5 Activated carbon electrode No. 0 Activated carbon electrode No. 1 74.2 Activated carbon electrode No. 3 Activated carbon electrode No. 1 108 Example 4 uses an electrode system with titanium foil as the current collector and activated carbon as the adsorbent. The electrodes are treated in situ with 0.1%-28% ammonia or over 90% ethylenediamine or polyethylenepolyamine. Treatment methods include, but are not limited to, soaking, scraping, and spraying. The electrodes are then left to stand at a specific temperature range of 0-200°C for 0.5-100 hours to coat the electrode surface with amino groups (-NH4, -NH3R, -NH2R2, -NHR3, -NR4, etc.). The electrodes are then assembled into a CDI test module, effectively increasing the adsorption capacity per unit area. The electrode obtained from the ammonia treatment is designated as activated carbon electrode #4, and the electrode obtained from the polyethylenepolyamine treatment is designated as activated carbon electrode #5.

[0072] positive electrode negative electrode Ion removal rate (mg / m²·min) (electrode area) Activated carbon electrode No. 0 Activated carbon electrode No. 0 55.5 Activated carbon electrode No. 0 Activated carbon electrode No. 1 74.2 Activated carbon electrode No. 4 Activated carbon electrode No. 1 138 Activated carbon electrode No. 5 Activated carbon electrode No. 1 112 The above embodiments demonstrate that when sulfonated activated carbon electrode No. 1 is used as the negative electrode and paired with untreated electrode No. 0, the ion removal rate increases from 55.5 mg / m³ to 74.2 mg / m³. 2 •min. When amination-treated activated carbon electrodes No. 4 and No. 5 were used as positive electrodes and paired with electrode No. 1, the rate was significantly increased to 138 mg / m³. 2 ·min and 112 mg / m 2 The min value demonstrates the effectiveness of surface functionalization.

[0073] The capacitive deionization electrode according to the second aspect embodiment of this application is prepared using the above-described method for preparing a capacitive deionization electrode, with reference to... Figure 5 ,include: Current collector 114; The electrode slurry layer 116 includes an adsorption layer 115 and an ion exchange layer 113. The adsorption layer 115 is disposed on the surface of the current collector 114, and the ion exchange layer 113 is disposed on the surface of the adsorption layer 115. The ion exchange layer 113 includes active groups, and the active groups have ion exchange functions.

[0074] It is understood that the adsorption layer 115 is directly disposed on the surface of the current collector 114. It is formed by coating and drying a slurry containing adsorbent, binder and conductive agent, and mainly performs the functions of physical adsorption and charge storage. The ion exchange layer 113 is disposed on the outer surface of the adsorption layer 115. It is formed in situ on the surface of the adsorption layer 115 through the aforementioned chemical treatment and is rich in active groups with ion exchange function.

[0075] The internal adsorption layer 115 maintains a high specific surface area and porous structure, ensuring the electrode's high-capacity energy storage characteristics; the external ion exchange layer 113 provides rapid ion recognition and selective capture capabilities through its active groups. The combination of these two elements gives the electrode both high adsorption capacity and excellent ion selectivity, thereby significantly improving the desalination efficiency and rate of the capacitor deionization process.

[0076] According to a third aspect embodiment of this application, a capacitive deionization electrode assembly includes: First electrode; The second electrode is positioned opposite to the first electrode; At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is the aforementioned capacitive deionization electrode.

[0077] The capacitive deionization electrode assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode, which are disposed opposite each other at a certain distance to form a channel through which the water to be treated flows. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a capacitive deionization electrode according to an embodiment of the second aspect of this application.

[0078] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The capacitor deionization water purification component has a purification state and a regeneration state. In the purification state, the first electrode is connected to the negative electrode and the second electrode is connected to the positive electrode. The ion exchange layer 113 of the first electrode is used to adsorb cations and the ion exchange layer 113 of the second electrode is used to adsorb anions. In the regeneration state, the first electrode is connected to the positive electrode and the second electrode is connected to the negative electrode. The ion exchange layer 113 of the first electrode is used to block the adsorption of anions and to perform the desorption of cations. The ion exchange layer 113 of the second electrode is used to block the adsorption of cations and to perform the desorption of anions.

[0079] The water purification device according to the fourth aspect of this application includes: The filter element assembly includes the aforementioned capacitive deionization electrode.

[0080] Understandably, when the water purification equipment is working, the water to be treated flows through the channel between the first and second electrodes positioned opposite each other in the filter element assembly. In the purification state, the two electrodes are connected to the negative and positive terminals of the power supply, respectively, and utilize the ion selectivity of their surface ion exchange layer 113 to quickly and efficiently remove dissolved salt ions from the water. When the electrodes become saturated with adsorption, the device can switch to regeneration mode. By reversing the polarity of the power supply, efficient desorption of adsorbed ions and electrode regeneration are achieved with the cooperation of the ion exchange layer 113, thereby restoring its desalination capacity.

[0081] It should be noted that among the many water purification technologies, emerging technologies such as capacitive deionization (CDI), electrodialysis (ED), and electro-deionization (EDI) are popular in the market because they can efficiently regulate ions in water. However, the decline in the quality of the first cup of water is a common problem in many water purification devices. The root cause is that during standby, when no voltage is applied to the electrodes, the ions adsorbed by the electrodes may desorb, or ions on the concentrate side may migrate in the opposite direction, leading to a decrease in the purity of the water between the electrodes.

[0082] In response to the problem that the TDS value of the first cup of water increases after standby in existing water purification technologies, affecting the taste of direct drinking, this application proposes a control method for water purification equipment to maintain the water quality in the filter cartridge in an efficient manner from the source.

[0083] It should be noted that the control method of this application can be applied to water purification equipment such as CDI, ED, and EDI that use electric fields to remove ions from water. The following description mainly focuses on its application in CDI as a specific embodiment.

[0084] According to the control method for a water purification device proposed in the embodiments of this application, the water purification device includes an electrode assembly, comprising: Prediction step S100: Based on historical water usage data, predict the user's target effluent water quality for the next time; Pre-conditioning step S200: According to the target effluent water quality, a pre-conditioning electric field is applied to the electrode assembly in an idle state so that the water quality inside the electrode assembly approaches the target effluent water quality.

[0085] According to the control method of the water purification equipment in the embodiments of this application, by predicting the user's next target water quality and applying an adjustable electric field to the electrode assembly to make the water quality inside the electrode assembly approach the target water quality, the problem of excessive TDS in the first cup of water is effectively solved, the user experience is improved, and no external water storage tank is required.

[0086] Understandably, the prediction step S100 infers the user's future water usage behavior based on historical water usage data. This historical water usage data is a comprehensive information set, which may include: historical water usage times, water quality selection records, etc. The system analyzes this data to predict the user's target water quality for the next use. Here, "target water quality" refers to the water quality standard the user expects to receive from the tap, typically with TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) as the key indicator, as it directly relates to the taste and safe drinking water standards.

[0087] Specifically, historical water usage data can include the water quality at 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, the water with a lower TDS value used for brewing coffee, or the water with a standard TDS value for daily drinking.

[0088] In the pre-conditioning step S200, after obtaining the predicted target effluent water quality, the system does not passively wait for the user to collect water. Instead, it applies a pre-conditioning electric field to the electrode assembly while the system is idle. The pre-conditioning electric field is a controllable, calculated purification electric field that is pre-activated before the user actually turns on the tap. Its purpose is to purify the water remaining inside the electrode assembly before the water usage time arrives, so that the water quality (mainly TDS value) of this portion of water approaches the predicted target effluent water quality desired by the user.

[0089] For example, if it is predicted that a user will drink the first glass of water directly after waking up in the morning, the system will apply a strong pre-adjusted electric field shortly before the estimated wake-up time to purify the "stale water" in the filter cartridge, which has increased TDS after a night of infiltration, back to the drinking standard.

[0090] Understandably, traditional "pure water recirculation" solutions are passive strategies involving physical dilution and displacement, requiring an additional water storage tank. This solution, however, employs an active electrochemical purification strategy. By applying a pre-adjusted electric field before water use, it directly re-purifies the existing water within the filter cartridge, ensuring its TDS value meets standards. This guarantees that the first glass of water that flows from the tap is pure water that meets direct drinking standards.

[0091] This method does not simply activate the strong electric field at fixed intervals after each standby, but rather makes predictive adjustments based on user habits, thus avoiding ineffective energy loss when there is no water demand.

[0092] It should be noted that the pre-adjusted electric field can be achieved by adjusting the operating current and / or operating voltage of the electrode assembly.

[0093] For ease of understanding, this application is described in conjunction with the following specific application scenarios: The system, by recording historical water usage data over a long period, predicts that users will have a need for "low TDS drinking water" around 7:30 AM. After a standby period overnight, the system predicts the next water usage time to be 7:30 AM the following morning, with a target water quality of "drinking standard" (e.g., TDS of 100 ppm). Based on the electrode component's efficiency and the pre-calculated time according to the TDS decline curve, for example, around 7:00 AM, the system automatically starts, applying a strong pre-adjusted electric field to the electrode components. This electric field further purifies the water that has been sitting in the filter overnight and whose TDS value has increased. By 7:30 AM, when the user collects water, the TDS value of the water inside the electrode components has dropped below the drinking standard. The user turns on the tap, without needing to discard any "stale water," and the first glass of water is crisp, clean, and safe to drink directly. The entire process is fully automatic, requiring no storage tank and wasting no purified water for rinsing.

[0094] For example, by recording historical water usage data over a long period, the system predicts that users will experience a high-frequency water usage period after 6 PM on weekdays, with a large water consumption. During non-water usage periods during the day (such as 5 PM), the system predicts that the next concentrated water usage will begin at 6 PM, with a target water quality of "cooking standard" (such as TDS of 150 ppm). Based on the pre-calculated time according to the electrode component efficiency and TDS decrease curve, for example, around 5:50 PM, the system applies a pre-adjusted electric field. When the user starts continuous water use at 6 PM, because the initial water quality in the filter cartridge has been optimized, the water purification equipment can immediately enter a highly efficient and stable water production state, quickly responding to large water demand. This avoids the initial water quality fluctuations or unstable water flow that may occur when traditional equipment recovers from a high TDS standby state.

[0095] It should be noted that specific values ​​such as "TDS is 100ppm" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are only examples. Those skilled in the art can reasonably replace them based on the concept of this application, and these modifications and replacements all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0096] According to one embodiment of this application, the water purification device can select at least two water qualities, and the historical water usage data includes water quality selection records and historical water usage times. The prediction step S100 includes: Analyze the water quality selection records in the historical water use data; Based on the water quality selection record and the historical water usage time, calculate the probability that the user will select each available water quality at the next expected water usage time; The water quality with the highest probability of being selected as the target water quality is determined.

[0097] It's understandable that water quality selection records refer to the water quality patterns actively chosen by the user or triggered by specific scenarios during each water usage session. Historical water usage times refer to the specific dates and times corresponding to each water usage behavior (e.g., 07:30 on October 26, 2025, 18:15 on October 26, 2025). These timestamp data record the user's water usage patterns. The next expected water usage time can be understood as the anticipated time point that coincides with historical water usage times.

[0098] For example, at 7:00 AM on a weekday, users will choose the direct drinking water standard 95% of the time. The system first predicts the next expected water usage time based on historical water usage patterns. If it is currently a weekday morning, the next expected water usage time can be determined to be 7:00 AM. Then, for this specific predicted water usage time, the system calculates the probability of the user selecting the water quality available during that time period, and finally determines that it is the direct drinking water standard.

[0099] According to a specific embodiment of this application, the water purification device offers a limited number of preset water quality options. Here, "selectable water quality" refers to the different purity or intended use of the water quality that the device can provide. For example, the water purification device may preset options such as a direct drinking standard (TDS value of 100 ppm, suitable for direct drinking), a cooking standard (TDS value of 150 ppm, suitable for making soup and cooking), and a tea-brewing standard (TDS value of 200 ppm, suitable for brewing tea), allowing users to choose according to their specific needs.

[0100] In this embodiment, the "prediction step" achieves intelligent prediction by analyzing the user's past selection preferences, and specifically includes the following process: First, the system collects and analyzes water quality selection records from historical water usage data. These records refer to the specific water quality patterns that users explicitly specify or that are inferred from the device's context during each water usage session, through methods such as device panel buttons, mobile app, or smart scene linkage. These records constitute a database of users' personalized water usage preferences.

[0101] Next, based on the water quality selection records, the system calculates the probability of the user selecting each available water quality. For example, the system can count that in the past 100 water usage records, the user selected "Direct Drinking Standard" 70 times, "Cooking Standard" 25 times, and "Tea Brewing Standard" 5 times, then the probability of selecting "Direct Drinking Standard" is 70%. The calculation method can be simply based on frequency, or a time weight can be introduced, such as giving higher weight to recent selections, so that the probability calculation better reflects the user's latest habits.

[0102] Finally, the system determines the water quality with the highest probability of selection as the target water quality for this prediction. Continuing with the previous example, since "Direct Drinking Standard" has the highest probability of being selected (70%), the system will determine that the user is most likely to use "Direct Drinking Standard" again next time, and thus set the water quality parameter corresponding to this mode as the pre-adjustment target.

[0103] According to one embodiment of this application, the water quality selection record includes a first water quality selection record and a second water quality selection record. The second water quality selection record is the water quality selection record of the user within a first predetermined time length from the current time. The first water quality selection record is the water quality selection record before the first predetermined time length. The calculation weight of the second water quality selection record is greater than the calculation weight of the first water quality selection record. The prediction of the user's next target water quality based on historical water usage data includes: Based on the weighted water quality selection records and the historical water usage times, the probability of the user selecting each available water quality at the next expected water usage time is calculated.

[0104] Understandably, the first scheduled time period is a configurable parameter, such as the last 7 days, the last 30 days, etc. This data represents the user's latest and most recent water usage preferences.

[0105] The first water quality selection record refers to water quality selection records prior to the first predetermined time period. This data reflects the relatively stable water use habits that users have formed over a long period of time.

[0106] During prediction calculations, the system assigns different weights to the two types of data; that is, the calculation weight of the second water quality selection record is greater than that of the first water quality selection record. Recent user choices have a greater impact on the prediction results, while earlier historical behaviors have a relatively smaller impact. This solution, by assigning a higher weight to the second water quality selection record, enables the prediction model to quickly capture and respond to the latest changes in user preferences. New water usage patterns can significantly affect the prediction results in a short period, making the system output more closely reflect the user's current actual needs.

[0107] In one embodiment, the weighting factor for each selectable water quality is calculated according to the following weighting formula: m=(α* R recent +β*R history ) / (α+β), Where m is the weighted number of times a particular water quality is selected, and R recent R represents the frequency of the selected water quality appearing in the second water quality selection record. historyLet α be the frequency of the selected water quality in the first water quality selection record, β be the calculated weight of the second water quality selection record, and β be the calculated weight of the first water quality selection record.

[0108] The weighted probability of the selected water quality is: P=m / n, Where n is the sum of the weighted averages of all selectable water quality values.

[0109] For example, the water purifier has three preset water quality options: direct drinking standard (TDS value of 100ppm, suitable for direct drinking), cooking standard (TDS value of 150ppm, suitable for making soup and cooking), and tea brewing standard (TDS value of 200ppm, suitable for brewing tea).

[0110] The first predetermined time period is set to the most recent 7 days, the calculation weight α of the second water quality selection record is 2, and the calculation weight β of the first water quality selection record is 1.

[0111] In historical records: Record from 7 days ago: Direct drinking standard selected 15 times, cooking standard selected 60 times, and tea brewing standard selected 25 times.

[0112] Records from the last 7 days: 20 times for direct drinking standard, 5 times for cooking standard, and 5 times for tea brewing standard.

[0113] Calculate the weighted average for each available water quality: m1=(2×20)+(1×15)=40+15=55; m2 = (2 × 5) + (1 × 60) = 10 + 60 = 70; m3 = (2 × 5) + (1 × 25) = 10 + 25 = 35; Calculate the sum of the number of selections n = 55 + 70 + 35 = 160; Calculate the probability of each possible water quality: P1 = 55 / 160 ≈ 34.4%; P2 = 70 / 160 = 43.8%; P3 = 35 / 160 ≈ 21.9%.

[0114] The system will select the water quality with the highest probability (cooking standard) as the target water quality for this prediction.

[0115] According to one embodiment of this application, the prediction step S100 includes: When there are two or more water qualities with the highest probability of being selected, the median value between the two water qualities with the highest probability of being selected is selected as the target water quality.

[0116] When two or more water quality options with the highest probability of selection appear, it means that the system has discovered through probability analysis that the user has multiple different water quality preference options selected with the same frequency, and all of them are the most frequently chosen. For example, calculations show that the probability of the user selecting "Direct Drinking Standard" and "Cooking Standard" is 45% each, tied for first place, while the probabilities of other modes are all lower than this value. In this case, the system does not have a single, highest-probability option that can be directly identified as the target.

[0117] In this case, the system selects the median value among the available effluent water qualities with the highest probability as the target effluent water quality. Here, "median value" is not a simple arithmetic average, but rather refers to the intermediate state or range of the water quality parameters corresponding to these parallel options within the continuously adjustable range of water quality parameters provided by the device. Continuing with the example above, the system will not arbitrarily select "direct drinking mode" or "cooking mode," but will calculate and generate an intermediate target value (e.g., around 125) between the TDS values ​​of the two (100ppm and 150ppm), and use this as the pre-adjustment target.

[0118] Understandably, when the target water quality is an intermediate value, the water quality can be adjusted to the corresponding TDS value quickly when the user selects any available water quality. This improves the system's response speed, avoids the risk of the water quality deviating too much from the user's expectations due to arbitrary predictions, and enhances the certainty of the user experience.

[0119] According to one embodiment of this application, the prediction step S100 includes: When there are two or more water qualities with the highest probability of being selected, the water quality with the highest probability of being selected is selected as the target water quality.

[0120] When there are two or more water quality options with the highest probability of selection, the system will further trace the complete water quality selection record. The water quality selection record refers to the absolute total number of times the user has actually selected each water quality option since the device started recording. The system will compare the total number of selections for these tied options and determine the option with the highest total frequency as the "target effluent water quality" for this operation.

[0121] For example, suppose the water purifier calculates that the probability of a user selecting "Direct Drinking Standard" and "Cooking Standard" is 45% each, tied for first place, while the probability of other modes is lower than this value. However, a review of all historical records reveals that the Direct Drinking Standard was selected a total of 500 times, while the Cooking Standard was selected a total of 320 times. Therefore, the system will select the Direct Drinking Standard, which has the higher total frequency, as the target water quality for this prediction.

[0122] Understandably, this step aims to identify and adhere to users' most stable and deeply ingrained long-term water usage habits. When recent data shows users fluctuating between different preferences, the system then relies on the more cumulative and stable metric of "total historical frequency."

[0123] This embodiment, together with the aforementioned "taking the median value" embodiment, constitutes two alternative strategies for handling the same special case. In actual product design, users can be allowed to choose through settings.

[0124] According to one embodiment of this application, the pre-adjustment step S200 includes: Detect the quality of the raw water inside the electrode assembly; Based on the target effluent quality and the raw water quality, the intensity of the pre-adjusted electric field applied to the electrode assembly is calculated and adjusted.

[0125] In the specific context of this application, the raw water quality referred to here does not refer to the original tap water entering the water purifier from municipal pipes, but specifically to the current water quality of the water remaining inside the electrode assembly at the moment pre-conditioning begins. This portion of water is "stale water" that has experienced a resurgence in ion concentration (TDS value) after a period of standby time due to the disappearance of the electric field. The system uses built-in water quality sensors (such as a TDS probe) to monitor the key indicators (mainly TDS value) of this water in real time, obtaining its initial state as the starting point for purification treatment.

[0126] Based on the target effluent water quality and the raw water quality, the system's internal algorithm (e.g., based on a pre-established purification efficiency model) dynamically calculates the optimal electric field strength required to reach the target within a predetermined time based on this difference, and adjusts the power output accordingly. For example, if a significant difference is detected between the TDS values ​​of the raw water quality and the target effluent water quality, the system can apply a stronger electric field to quickly remove ions; if the TDS value of the raw water quality is already close to the target effluent water quality, only a weaker sustaining electric field can be applied.

[0127] According to one embodiment of this application, the intensity of the pre-adjusted electric field is less than the intensity of the formal working electric field required to produce the target effluent water quality.

[0128] The formal operating electric field refers to the electric field applied to the electrode assembly by the water purifier in real time to produce and output purified water that meets the "target water quality" when the user actually turns on the tap. This electric field needs to be strong enough to ensure that the water flowing through the electrode assembly can be purified to the set purity within a short period of time. Its strength is at full power to meet the requirements of the immediate water production flow and quality. The pre-conditioning electric field, on the other hand, is the electric field applied during the standby phase before the user uses water, in order to improve the water quality of the water remaining inside the electrode assembly to near the target value in advance and slowly.

[0129] The pre-conditioning process occurs during standby periods when the user does not need to use water, and the time window is usually quite long (e.g., tens of minutes). Using a lower-intensity electric field for slow conditioning results in energy consumption per unit time that is far lower than that of a high-intensity operating electric field.

[0130] Secondly, the goal of pre-conditioning is not rapid water production, but rather to prevent water quality deterioration and slowly restore it to near-target values. The gentler force of the low-intensity electric field makes the migration and adsorption of ions in the water more gradual. This helps avoid localized water quality unevenness or over-purification that might result from an excessively strong or rapid electric field, allowing the water quality inside the electrode assembly to more stably and uniformly approach the target value, providing a more reliable guarantee for the quality of the first glass of water.

[0131] According to one embodiment of this application, after the prediction step S100, the following is included: Calculate the duration of the idle state based on the most recent historical water usage time; When the duration exceeds a preset threshold, the pre-adjustment step S200 is executed.

[0132] Understandably, the most recent historical water usage time refers to the moment when the last water withdrawal by the user ended and the water purification equipment stopped producing water, as recorded by the equipment. The duration of idle state refers to the cumulative time from that moment until the time the system performs this calculation, during which the equipment is in a non-water-producing state and the electric field is off. This duration is directly related to the degree to which the TDS value of the water inside the electrode assembly rises due to the lack of an electric field.

[0133] Understandably, if the equipment idle time does not exceed this threshold from the end of the last water use, the TDS value of the water in the electrode assembly will rise within an acceptable range, and the risk of the first cup of water is low; once the idle time exceeds this threshold, it is considered that the rise in TDS may have affected the water quality of the first cup of water, and it is necessary to start pre-conditioning.

[0134] For example, if a user uses water frequently (such as filling the water every 20 minutes while cooking), and the duration is very short, far below the preset threshold (e.g., set to 2 hours), the system determines that pre-regulation does not need to be activated, thus saving energy. Pre-regulation is only triggered in "high-risk" situations where the water body has enough time to experience a significant rise in TDS (i.e., standby timeout).

[0135] Different households have vastly different water usage patterns. This mechanism allows the system to automatically adapt to various patterns. For households with frequent water usage, the system rarely initiates pre-adjustment, resulting in significant energy savings; for households with regular water usage patterns (such as those away during the day), the system intelligently initiates pre-adjustment after exceeding a threshold, ensuring a smooth water usage experience.

[0136] According to one embodiment of this application, after the pre-adjustment step S200, the following steps are included: Calculate the duration of the currently applied pre-adjusted electric field; When the duration exceeds a preset threshold, the application of the pre-adjusted electric field to the electrode assembly is stopped.

[0137] Understandably, prolonged electric field exposure may lead to excessively low ion concentrations in the water, exceeding the expected range. This eliminates the risk of prolonged idle operation of equipment due to software logic anomalies, ensuring the safety and lifespan of core hardware.

[0138] Understandably, this mechanism can effectively handle some unexpected edge scenarios. For example, if the system predicts that a user will soon use water and initiates pre-regulation, but the user changes their plans (e.g., goes out) and does not use water for an extended period, the pre-regulation will automatically stop after running for a reasonable time, waiting for the next trigger condition (such as a new prediction command or standby time judgment) to be met. This makes the system behavior more reasonable and adaptable to complex real-world usage environments.

[0139] According to one embodiment of this application, after the pre-adjustment step S200, the following steps are included: Obtain the water quality of the water body inside the electrode assembly; When the water quality inside the electrode assembly is equal to the target effluent water quality, the application of the pre-adjusted electric field to the electrode assembly is stopped.

[0140] Understandably, if the system has successfully adjusted the water quality to the target range within the threshold time, it will terminate normally upon reaching the target.

[0141] The water purification device according to an embodiment of this application includes: A filter assembly, including one or more electrode assemblies; The detection component is configured to collect users' historical water usage data; A power supply component is connected to the electrode assembly; A control component, connected to the detection component, the filter component, and the power supply component, is configured to perform the control method of the water purification device as described above.

[0142] Understandably, the electrode assembly is the core component of capacitive deionization (CDI) technology, consisting of multiple pairs of electrodes (such as activated carbon electrodes, graphene electrodes, etc.) and may include an ion exchange membrane. When a direct current electric field is applied to the electrode pairs, dissolved ions in the water flow (such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride ions) are adsorbed onto the charged electrode surface, thereby being removed from the water and achieving purification. One or more such electrode assemblies, connected in series or parallel, constitute the main filtration unit.

[0143] The detection component is responsible for collecting users' historical water usage data. It's a broad functional module that can include various sensors and input interfaces. For example, it may include: a flow sensor (for recording water usage duration and volume), a timer / clock module (for recording the specific time points when water usage occurred), a water quality sensor (such as a TDS probe, for monitoring influent or effluent water quality), and a user interface (such as a touchscreen, buttons, or a Wi-Fi / Bluetooth module, for receiving user-selected water quality mode commands). All this data is aggregated to form historical water usage data used to analyze user habits.

[0144] In one embodiment, both the TDS probe and the water quality analyzer employ high-precision conductivity sensors capable of detecting a range of 0ppm-9999ppm with an accuracy of ±1ppm.

[0145] The power supply component is an adjustable voltage and current DC power module that can output an electric field of a specific intensity to the electrode assembly according to control commands. In the pre-conditioning step S200, the power supply component provides a lower intensity pre-conditioning electric field; when the user uses water, the power supply component provides a stronger operating electric field to produce water in real time.

[0146] In one embodiment, the power board of the power supply component has a pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency of 20 kHz and a duty cycle that can be continuously adjusted between 0 and 100%.

[0147] The control component is connected to the detection component, the filter element component, and the power supply component, and can be a microprocessor (MCU) or microcontroller unit.

[0148] Understandably, by eliminating the water storage tank required in traditional solutions, the structure of water purification equipment is greatly simplified. The filter assembly itself is compact, and the detection, power supply, and control components can all use highly integrated electronic modules, allowing the entire water purification equipment to be made very small, easy to install under the sink, or designed as a countertop all-in-one unit, meeting the space utilization needs of modern home appliances.

[0149] In one embodiment, the number of filter cartridges is at least two, and the power supply component includes at least two sub-power supplies, each sub-power supply being connected to one filter cartridge. During the working time of the water purification device, at least one sub-power supply applies a positive voltage to one filter cartridge to perform the water purification function, and at least another sub-power supply applies a reverse voltage to another filter cartridge to perform the regeneration function.

[0150] In one embodiment, the electrodes within the filter element assembly form at least two sets of electrode pairs, and each set of electrode pairs forms a flow channel, the flow channel including a clean water flow channel and a wastewater flow channel; wherein, the at least two sets of electrode pairs are configured to alternately enter an adsorption phase and a desorption phase, and at any given time, at least one set of electrode pairs is in the adsorption phase and at least one set of electrode pairs is in the desorption phase, the flow channel corresponding to the electrode pair in the adsorption phase is a clean water flow channel, and the flow channel corresponding to the electrode pair in the desorption phase is a wastewater flow channel.

[0151] By forming at least two sets of electrode pairs between the electrodes, wherein the at least two sets of electrode pairs are configured to alternately enter the adsorption phase and the desorption phase, such that at any given time, at least one set of the electrode pairs is in the adsorption phase and at least one set of the electrode pairs is in the desorption phase, the user can obtain a continuous supply of purified water at any time without waiting for the desorption cycle.

[0152] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate this application and are not intended to limit this application. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various combinations, modifications, or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of this application do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this application and should be covered within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a capacitive deionization electrode, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: An electrode slurry is prepared by mixing an adsorbent, a binder, and a conductive agent in a predetermined ratio. Electrode paste is coated onto the current collector to form an electrode paste layer; The electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form an ion exchange layer on its surface.

2. The method for preparing the capacitive deionization electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that, The chemical treatment of the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer includes: The chemical treatment solution is coated onto the surface of the electrode slurry layer; The treatment solution on the surface of the electrode slurry layer is dried.

3. The method for preparing the capacitive deionization electrode according to claim 2, characterized in that, The chemical treatment is sulfonation; the treatment solution used in the sulfonation is a sulfuric acid solution or an ammonium sulfate solution with a concentration of 0.1% to 70%; the treatment temperature is 50°C to 95°C, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours.

4. The method for preparing the capacitive deionization electrode according to claim 2, characterized in that, The chemical treatment is an amination treatment, and the treatment solution used in the amination treatment is ammonia water, polyethylene polyamine solution, or ethylenediamine solution. The concentration of ammonia water is 0.1% to 28%, and the concentration of polyethylene polyamine or ethylenediamine solution is not less than 90%. The treatment temperature is 20°C to 150°C, the treatment pressure is 0.1 MPa to 0.5 MPa, and the treatment time is 0.5 hours to 3 hours.

5. The method for preparing the capacitive deionization electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: Clean the chemically treated electrode slurry layer; Detect the presence of target active groups on the surface of the electrode slurry layer; If the target active group is present, the ion exchange layer is confirmed to be complete. If the target active group is not present, the step of chemically treating the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer is repeated.

6. The method for preparing the capacitive deionization electrode according to claim 5, characterized in that, The detection electrode slurry layer surface is used to determine whether there are target active groups, including: The electrode slurry layer after cleaning was detected using an infrared spectroscopy detector; If a characteristic absorption peak corresponding to the chemical bond of the target active group is observed in the infrared spectrum, then the target active group is present. If the characteristic absorption peak is not observed in the infrared spectrum, then the target active group is not present.

7. The method for preparing a capacitive deionization electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness ratio of the ion exchange layer to the electrode slurry layer is 1:5 to 1:3, the thickness of the electrode slurry layer is 50μm-240μm, and the thickness of the ion exchange layer is 10μm-80μm.

8. The method for preparing a capacitive deionization electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The step of coating the electrode paste onto the current collector to form an electrode paste layer includes: Electrode paste is coated onto the first end face of the current collector to form a first electrode paste layer, and electrode paste is coated onto the second end face of the current collector to form a second electrode paste layer; The chemical treatment of the electrode slurry layer to form an ion exchange layer on the surface of the electrode slurry layer includes: The first electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form a first ion exchange layer on the surface of the first electrode slurry layer; The second electrode slurry layer is chemically treated to form a second ion exchange layer on the surface of the second electrode slurry layer, wherein the ion selectivity of the first ion exchange layer and the second ion exchange layer is the same or opposite.

9. A capacitive deionization electrode, characterized in that, The capacitor deionization electrode is prepared by the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: current collector; The electrode slurry layer includes an adsorption layer and an ion exchange layer. The adsorption layer is disposed on the surface of the current collector, and the ion exchange layer is disposed on the surface of the adsorption layer. The ion exchange layer includes active groups, and the active groups have ion exchange functions.

10. A capacitive deionization electrode assembly, characterized in that, include: First electrode; The second electrode is disposed opposite to the first electrode; At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is the capacitive deionization electrode as described in claim 9.

11. A water purification device, characterized in that, include: A filter element assembly, the filter element assembly including the capacitive deionization electrode as described in claim 9.

Images