Anion Exchange Polymer Membrane Caustic Acid Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ion exchange polymers and membranes lack tolerance to caustic and acid environments and have high fouling potential in electrodialysis and bipolar electrodialysis processes.

Innovation Solution

An anion exchange polymer composition and membrane are developed using a crosslinker monomer formed from reacting a first and second crosslinking monomer, with a cationic monomer containing a quaternary ammonium group, which forms a cyclic 5-member ring structure, enhancing tolerance to caustic and acid and reducing fouling potential.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing ion exchange polymers are used, then they can perform ion exchange functions, but they lack tolerance to caustic and acid environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance to caustic and acidVSAvoidperformance in electrodialysis processes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite polymer structure combining aromatic polyamine backbone with aliphatic sulfonic acid side chains. This composite architecture integrates the chemical stability of aromatic structures with the ion exchange functionality of aliphatic sulfonic groups, achieving both caustic/acid tolerance and electrodialysis performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical parameters of ion exchange polymers by introducing specific functional groups (aromatic polyamine with aliphatic sulfonic acid) and controlling the degree of crosslinking. These parameter changes enhance chemical stability while maintaining ion exchange capacity, resolving the contradiction between tolerance and performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If existing ion exchange polymers are used, then they can conduct ion exchange, but they have high fouling potential in electrodialysis and bipolar electrodialysis processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion exchange functionalityVSAvoidfouling potential

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct functional regions within the polymer structure: the aromatic polyamine backbone provides chemical stability and structural integrity, while the aliphatic sulfonic acid side chains provide ion exchange functionality with reduced fouling tendency. This spatial separation of functions resolves the contradiction between ion exchange capability and fouling resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional polymerization methods are used, then polymerization can occur, but the resulting polymers lack caustic and acid tolerance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization processVSAvoidtolerance to caustic and acid

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses preliminary action by pre-synthesizing the aromatic polyamine backbone structure before introducing the aliphatic sulfonic acid side chains through controlled polymerization. This sequential approach ensures the stable aromatic framework is established first, providing the foundation for subsequent functional group attachment while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs an intermediary approach by using a two-stage polymerization process where the first stage creates the aromatic polyamine backbone and the second stage introduces sulfonic acid groups. This intermediary step allows control over the polymer structure to achieve both manufacturability and chemical tolerance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The anion exchange polymer composition and membrane exhibit increased tolerance to caustic and acid, with lower fouling potential, improving performance in electrodialysis and bipolar electrodialysis processes.

Implementation Method 1

The polymerization reaction also included a free radical generating catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Implementation Method 2

The two crosslinking monomers form a crosslinking unit at the same time as the polymerization reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking:

Implementation Method 3

The cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS10576424B2Ion exchange polymers and a method for making ion exchange polymers

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 BL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An ion exchange polymer is provided. The ion exchange polymer is a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer. The crosslinker monomer is a reaction product of a reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer. Further, the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making an ion exchange polymer is also provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a curable solution and a step of curing the curable solution. The step of preparing the curable solution comprises mixing a pair of crosslinking monomers, a cationic monomer that comprises a quaternary ammonium group and an acid. A membrane is also provided. The membrane comprises the ion exchange polymer made by the method provided.