Anion Conducting Membrane for Zincate Blocking and Dendrite Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anion conducting membranes used in zinc-based storage cells are inadequate in preventing dendrite growth, leading to short circuits and reduced cell life, with existing solutions still falling short in effectively suppressing dendrite formation and extending cell life.
Innovation Solution
An anion conducting membrane formed using a conjugated diene or (meth)acrylic based polymer with specific inorganic compounds, optimized for selective hydroxide ion permeability and reduced voids, which suppresses zincate ion permeation while allowing hydroxide ions to pass through, thereby preventing dendrite growth and enhancing cell life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional porous membranes or anion conducting membranes are used as separators, then ion permeability is improved, but dendrite growth suppression is insufficient leading to short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a polymer matrix with inorganic particles (such as metal oxides, hydroxides, or layered double hydroxides) to create an anion conducting membrane that exhibits both mechanical integrity and selective ion permeability. This composite structure provides dendrite growth suppression while maintaining reliable ion transport, resolving the contradiction between separator functionality and dendrite prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials with controlled pore structures to enable selective ion permeability. The porous architecture allows hydroxide ions to pass through while blocking zincate ions and suppressing dendrite growth. The pore size and distribution are optimized to achieve both ion transport efficiency and dendrite prevention, addressing the contradiction between permeability and reliability.
2Reliability
If the membrane allows high ion permeability, then cell performance is improved, but selectivity between hydroxide ions and zincate ions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different properties within the membrane structure. The inorganic particles are distributed throughout the polymer matrix to create localized zones that preferentially conduct hydroxide ions while blocking zincate ions. This local differentiation of ion transport properties achieves high selectivity without compromising overall ion permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the chemical composition, particle size, and distribution of inorganic components within the membrane. By modifying these parameters, the membrane's ion selectivity and permeability are optimized simultaneously. The inorganic particles' surface properties and charge characteristics are tuned to enhance hydroxide ion transport while preventing zincate ion passage.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the membrane structure is optimized for dendrite suppression, then cell life is extended, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating dendrite-suppressing inorganic particles into the polymer matrix during the membrane fabrication process itself, rather than adding them later. This integrated approach allows the membrane to be formed with built-in dendrite prevention capabilities, extending cell life while avoiding the need for additional complex post-processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes self-service by designing a membrane structure where the inorganic particles automatically provide dendrite suppression functionality through their inherent properties. The particles' surface characteristics and distribution create a self-organizing structure that passively prevents dendrite growth without requiring external control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while extending cell life.
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 membrane effectively suppresses dendrite growth, preventing short circuits and extending the life of zinc-based storage cells by selectively allowing hydroxide ions while blocking zincate ions, maintaining cell performance and preventing self-discharge.
Implementation Method 1
an anion conducting membrane formed using a conjugated diene or (meth)acrylic based polymer with specific inorganic compounds, optimized for selective hydroxide ion permeability
Implementation Method 2
selectively allowing hydroxide ions while blocking zincate ions
Implementation Method 3
suppresses zincate ion permeation while allowing hydroxide ions to pass through, thereby preventing dendrite growth
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a material capable of further extending the life of a cell including a zinc species as a negative electrode active material. The present invention relates to an anion conducting membrane formed using an anion conducting membrane-forming material, the anion conducting membrane-forming material including a conjugated diene based polymer and/or a (meth)acrylic based polymer, and a compound containing at least one element selected from Groups I to XVII of the periodic table, the anion conducting membrane having a cross-section in which a ratio of a combined area of particles of the compound containing at least one element selected from Groups I to XVII of the periodic table to a combined area of the components of the anion conducting membrane-forming material other than the compound (particles of the compound/components of the anion conducting membrane-forming material other than the compound) is 70/30 to 30/70.