Composite Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Ion Conductor Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymer electrolyte membranes for electrochemical devices face challenges in maintaining ion conductor integrity and mechanical durability due to chemical degradation over long-term use, which leads to reduced ionic conductivity and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A reinforced composite membrane-type polymer electrolyte membrane is developed, featuring a non-crosslinked ion conductor and a porous support with a polymer containing crosslinking functional groups. These functional groups bond with degraded ion conductor end groups, effectively crosslinking and stabilizing the membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a non-crosslinked ion conductor is used in the polymer electrolyte membrane, then the membrane exhibits good initial ion conductivity and ease of manufacture, but the ion conductor undergoes chemical degradation and loss during long-term use, reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a porous support (polymer or inorganic) with an ion conductor, creating a reinforced composite membrane that maintains the ion conductor's conductivity while the support provides mechanical strength and prevents degradation-induced loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical state and bonding characteristics of the ion conductor by controlling its interaction with the porous support through van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, or covalent bonding, changing from a fully crosslinked state (difficult to manufacture) to a controlled non-crosslinked or partially bonded state (easy to manufacture) while maintaining durability
2Reliability
If a crosslinked ion conductor is used to prevent degradation, then chemical durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the crosslinking function from the ion conductor itself and transfers it to the porous support structure, allowing the ion conductor to remain non-crosslinked (simple to manufacture) while the support provides the structural stability and degradation resistance previously requiring crosslinking of the ion conductor
Solution Approach 2:
The porous support acts as an intermediary between the ion conductor and the environment, providing mechanical support and preventing direct exposure of the ion conductor to degrading conditions, thereby reducing the need for complex crosslinking of the ion conductor itself
3Quantity of substance
If the ion conductor is chemically degraded during long-term use, then ion conductivity is maintained initially, but the degraded ion conductor is lost from the membrane, reducing long-term performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the porous support with surface properties and bonding capabilities beforehand that will capture and retain degraded ion conductor fragments before they can be lost, cushioning against the harmful effects of chemical degradation and preventing ion conductor loss during long-term operation
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 solution prevents ion conductor leakage and enhances mechanical and chemical durability, improving the membrane's performance and longevity without increasing costs or reducing productivity.
Implementation Method 1
the porous support comprises a polymer having at least one crosslinking functional group, and the crosslinking functional group is capable of being bonded to the ion conductor upon occurrence of degradation of the ion conductor to thereby cause the degraded ion conductor to be crosslinked
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are: a reinforced composite membrane-type polymer electrolyte membrane which can prevent the loss of an ion conductor even when the ion conductor is chemically deteriorated due to long-term use, and thus has remarkably enhanced mechanical and chemical durability; a method for manufacturing same; and an electrochemical device comprising same. The polymer electrolyte membrane of the present invention comprises: a non-crosslinked ion conductor; and a porous support having a plurality of pores filled with the ion conductor, wherein the porous support comprises a polymer having at least one crosslinking functional group, and the crosslinking functional group is a functional group which, when the ion conductor is deteriorated, can cause crosslinking of the ion conductor by binding to the deteriorated ion conductor.