Electrolyzed water diaphragm with multi-layer structure and electrolytic bath

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electrolytic water diaphragm with a multilayer structure and an electrolytic bath, and belongs to the technical field of hydrogen production diaphragms. The electrolyzed water diaphragm comprises polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers located on the two sides and polymer gridding cloth or polymer woven cloth located on the middle layer. Wherein the polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers are formed by compounding polyphenylene sulfide superfine fibers and polyphenylene sulfide short fibers. According to the utility model, the polyphenylene sulfide superfine fibers are used as a binder, and the polyphenylene sulfide superfine fibers on the two sides are combined by adopting the processes of hot pressing, needling or spunlace and the like, so that the aim of combining the composite fiber layer consisting of the polyphenylene sulfide superfine fibers and the polyphenylene sulfide short fibers with the polymer gridding cloth or the polymer woven cloth is fulfilled. A series of problems that the internal resistance of the diaphragm is obviously increased, the efficiency of hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is greatly reduced, the air permeability of the diaphragm is relatively poor, the service life of the diaphragm is influenced and the like due to aging of inorganic coatings such as traditional polyphenylene sulfide gridding cloth zirconium oxide in a long-term use process are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of hydrogen production membrane technology, and more specifically, relates to a multi-layer structured water electrolysis membrane and electrolyzer. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing global demand for clean energy, the market demand for hydrogen production through water electrolysis, as a carbon-free hydrogen production method, will continue to grow. The diaphragm is a core component and key material of the electrolyzer, primarily responsible for separating the cathode and anode chambers and ion permeation, directly affecting the energy consumption and gas purity of the water electrolysis unit.

[0003] Asbestos was the first material used in water electrolysis membranes, but asbestos has swelling properties. In alkaline water electrolytes, the swelling of the membrane reduces the overall tensile strength of the membrane, making it susceptible to impact from the electrolyte and gas. As a result, it was gradually phased out.

[0004] Currently, the synthetic fiber used in water electrolysis for hydrogen production is polyphenylene sulfide fiber, which has the characteristics of heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and chemical stability. However, due to its hydrophobicity, it results in high energy consumption and high resistance. Existing technology prepares composite membranes by coating polyphenylene sulfide membranes with ceramic coatings such as zirconium oxide, but it still faces problems such as easy coating peeling and short service life. Utility Model Content

[0005] In response to the deficiencies and improvement needs of existing technologies, this utility model provides a multi-layer electrolytic water diaphragm and electrolytic cell, aiming to solve the technical problems of easy coating peeling and short service life of existing polyphenylene sulfide diaphragm.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, this utility model provides a multi-layer electrolytic water membrane, the electrolytic water membrane comprising: polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers on both sides, and a polymer mesh or polymer woven fabric in the middle layer; wherein the polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers are composed of polyphenylene sulfide microfibers and polyphenylene sulfide short fibers;

[0007] The polyphenylene sulfide short fibers have a diameter of 2~30μm and a length of 10~100mm; the polyphenylene sulfide ultrafine fibers have a diameter of 0.5~10μm.

[0008] Furthermore, the mass percentage of the polyphenylene sulfide microfiber and polyphenylene sulfide short fiber is 1:0.5~10.

[0009] Furthermore, the thickness of the polyphenylene sulfide composite fiber is 20~200μm.

[0010] Furthermore, the thickness of the polymer mesh fabric or polymer woven fabric is 50~300μm, wherein the polymer constituting the polymer mesh fabric or polymer woven fabric includes one or more of polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, and polysulfone.

[0011] Furthermore, the polymer mesh fabric has an opening ratio of ≥25%, the mesh openings are equilateral right-angled triangles, and the length of the right-angled side is 100~5000μm; the polymer mesh fabric is woven from polymer monofilament, polymer filament twisted twin filament, or polymer twisted yarn.

[0012] Furthermore, the opening ratio of the polymer mesh fabric is 40-85%.

[0013] Furthermore, the polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers located on both sides are bonded to the polymer mesh or polymer woven fabric located in the middle layer by hot pressing, needle punching, or hydroentangling.

[0014] Furthermore, the thickness of the electrolyzed water membrane is 90~700μm.

[0015] Secondly, this utility model also provides an electrolytic cell, which includes: a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic water diaphragm as described in the first aspect.

[0016] In summary, the above-described technical solutions conceived by this utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. This utility model provides a multi-layered electrolytic water membrane. It replaces the traditional inorganic coating of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) mesh with zirconia as a coating, using a composite fiber of PPS microfiber and PPS short fiber as the coating. The innovation lies in using PPS microfiber as a binder, employing processes such as hot pressing, needle punching, or hydroentangling to bond the PPS microfibers on both sides, thereby achieving a combination of the composite fiber layer composed of PPS microfiber and PPS short fiber with the polymer mesh or polymer woven fabric. Furthermore, since both are polymeric materials, their affinity is superior, resulting in a higher bonding strength between the composite fiber layer and the intermediate polymer mesh or polymer woven fabric. This solves a series of problems associated with the aging of traditional inorganic coatings such as PPS mesh and zirconia during long-term use, leading to a significant increase in membrane internal resistance, a substantial decrease in hydrogen production efficiency from water electrolysis, poor membrane permeability, and reduced membrane lifespan.

[0018] 2. Using polyphenylene sulfide microfiber and polyphenylene sulfide short fiber as coatings to replace the traditional polyphenylene sulfide mesh zirconia inorganic coating, the weight of the electrolytic water separator provided by this utility model will be reduced by at least 60% under the same membrane thickness conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multilayer electrolytic water membrane provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multilayer electrolytic water membrane provided in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrolytic cell provided in Embodiment 3 of this utility model.

[0022] In the diagram: 1-polyphenylene sulfide composite fiber, 2-polymer mesh fabric, 3-polymer woven fabric, 4-cathode, 5-anode, 6-electrolytic water diaphragm. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the technical solution and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0024] In this utility model, the terms "first," "second," etc. (if present) in this utility model and its drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] Combination Figure 1 This embodiment will be described in detail below. The multilayer electrolytic water separator involved in this embodiment includes polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers 1 located on both sides and polymer mesh fabric 2 located in the middle layer; wherein, the polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers 1 are composed of polyphenylene sulfide microfibers and polyphenylene sulfide short fibers.

[0027] In this embodiment, the polymer mesh fabric 2 can be woven from polymer monofilaments, polymer filament twisted twin filaments, or polymer twisted yarns. The opening ratio of the polymer mesh fabric 2 is ≥25%, preferably in the range of 40~85%. The mesh openings are square or equilateral right-angled triangles. When the mesh openings are square, the side length is 100~5000μm; preferably, the mesh openings are equilateral right-angled triangles with a right-angled side length of 100~5000μm. The thickness of the polymer mesh fabric 2 is 50~300μm, wherein the polymer constituting the polymer mesh fabric 2 includes one or more of polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, and polysulfone.

[0028] In this embodiment, the diameter of the polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) short fibers is 2-30 μm and the length is 10-100 mm; the diameter of the PPS microfiber is 0.5-10 μm. The mass percentage of PPS microfiber to PPS short fibers is 1:0.5-10, and the thickness of the PPS composite fibers on both sides is 20-200 μm.

[0029] Furthermore, polyphenylene sulfide microfibers can be obtained by meltblowing, and then polyphenylene sulfide short fibers can be combined with polyphenylene sulfide microfibers obtained by meltblowing through a specific intercalation process to obtain polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers. The specific process can be a wet papermaking process.

[0030] Furthermore, using polyphenylene sulfide microfiber as a binder, processes such as hot pressing, needle punching, or hydroentangling are employed to combine the polyphenylene sulfide microfibers on both sides, thereby achieving the purpose of combining polyphenylene sulfide composite fiber 1 composed of polyphenylene sulfide microfiber and polyphenylene sulfide short fiber with polymer mesh fabric 2.

[0031] Based on this, the thickness of the electrolyzed water membrane in this embodiment is 90~700μm.

[0032] Example 2

[0033] Combination Figure 2 This embodiment will be described in detail below. The multilayer electrolytic water membrane involved in this embodiment includes polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers 1 located on both sides and polymer woven fabric 3 located in the middle layer; wherein, the polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers 1 are composed of polyphenylene sulfide microfibers and polyphenylene sulfide short fibers.

[0034] In this embodiment, the polymer woven fabric 3 is woven from polymer fibers using a conventional weaving process, following a specific warp and weft interlacing pattern. The polymer woven fabric 3 has a thickness of 50~300μm, and the polymer constituting the polymer woven fabric 3 includes one or more of polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, and polysulfone.

[0035] In this embodiment, the diameter of the polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) short fibers is 2-30 μm and the length is 10-100 mm; the diameter of the PPS microfibers is 0.5-10 μm. The mass percentage of PPS microfibers to PPS short fibers is 1:0.5-10, and the thickness of the PPS composite fiber is 20-200 μm.

[0036] Furthermore, polyphenylene sulfide microfibers can be obtained by meltblowing, and then polyphenylene sulfide short fibers can be combined with polyphenylene sulfide microfibers obtained by meltblowing through a specific intercalation process to obtain polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers. The specific process can be a wet papermaking process.

[0037] Furthermore, using polyphenylene sulfide microfiber as a binder, processes such as hot pressing, needle punching, or hydroentangling are employed to combine the polyphenylene sulfide microfibers on both sides, thereby achieving the purpose of combining polyphenylene sulfide composite fiber 1 composed of polyphenylene sulfide microfiber and polyphenylene sulfide short fiber with polymer woven fabric 3.

[0038] Based on this, the thickness of the electrolyzed water membrane in this embodiment is 90~700μm.

[0039] Example 3

[0040] Combination Figure 3 This embodiment will be described in detail. The electrolytic cell involved in this embodiment includes: a cathode 4, an anode 5, and an electrolytic water diaphragm 6 as described in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A multi-layered electrolytic water membrane, characterized in that, The electrolytic water membrane comprises: The polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers are located on both sides, and the polymer mesh or polymer woven fabric is located in the middle layer; wherein, the polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers are composed of polyphenylene sulfide microfibers and polyphenylene sulfide staple fibers; The polyphenylene sulfide short fibers have a diameter of 2~30μm and a length of 10~100mm; the polyphenylene sulfide ultrafine fibers have a diameter of 0.5~10μm.

2. The water electrolysis membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the polyphenylene sulfide composite fiber is 20~200μm.

3. The water electrolysis membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the polymer mesh fabric or polymer woven fabric is 50~300μm, wherein the polymer constituting the polymer mesh fabric or polymer woven fabric includes one of polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, and polysulfone.

4. The water electrolysis membrane according to claim 3, characterized in that, The polymer mesh fabric has an opening ratio of ≥25%, and the mesh openings are equilateral right-angled triangles with a right-angled side length of 100~5000μm; the polymer mesh fabric is woven from polymer monofilament, polymer filament twisted twin filament, or polymer twisted yarn.

5. The water electrolysis membrane according to claim 4, characterized in that, The opening ratio of the polymer mesh fabric is 40-85%.

6. The water electrolysis membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The polyphenylene sulfide composite fibers located on both sides are bonded to the polymer mesh or polymer woven fabric located in the middle layer by hot pressing, needle punching, or hydroentangling.

7. The water electrolysis membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the electrolyzed water membrane is 90~700μm.

8. An electrolytic cell, characterized in that, The electrolytic cell includes: a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic water diaphragm as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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