Composite Membrane Ionic Bonding to Prevent Peeling and Pinholes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite membranes face production complexity, high costs, and defects such as peeling and pinholes due to uneven thickness and lack of strong bonding between the supporting membrane and separation layer, particularly under water pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A composite membrane is produced by sulfonating the polyphenylene oxide supporting membrane and forming a polyvinyl alcohol separation layer with ionic functional groups, allowing for a simple method with strong bonding via ionic bonds, eliminating defects like peeling and pinholes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a coating method is used to form a separation layer on a supporting membrane, then the separation layer can be formed, but uneven thickness occurs leading to pinholes and cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coating method with a chemical bonding method. The supporting membrane is sulfonated to create charged groups that form ionic bonds with oppositely charged polymer layers, eliminating the need for mechanical coating and its associated thickness uniformity problems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bonding mechanism from physical adhesion to chemical bonding by introducing ionic bonds through sulfonation. This fundamental parameter change in the bonding type eliminates defects like pinholes and cracks that occur in coating methods
2Strength
If conventional coating methods are used to form a separation layer, then the layer can be applied, but strong bonding is not achieved leading to peeling under water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where the supporting membrane is sulfonated to form charged groups that chemically bond with oppositely charged polymer layers. This composite approach with ionic bonding achieves strong adhesion that prevents peeling under water pressure, unlike conventional coating methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical adhesion mechanisms with chemical bonding through ionic interactions. The sulfonated groups on the supporting membrane form strong ionic bonds with oppositely charged polymers, achieving superior bonding strength and peeling resistance compared to conventional coating methods
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple coating steps are performed to achieve uniform thickness, then defect reduction is possible, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-step coating procedures with a single chemical bonding step. By sulfonating the supporting membrane and using ionic bonding with oppositely charged polymers, the method achieves uniform thickness and strong bonding in one process, eliminating the need for multiple coating steps and reducing production complexity
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 composite membrane achieves robust bonding between layers, preventing defects and maintaining performance under water pressure, with a simplified production process.
Implementation Method 1
the polyphenylene oxide is sulfonated on the one main surface of the supporting membrane
Implementation Method 2
forming a separation layer made of polyvinyl alcohol having an ionic functional group... adhesion force of an ionic bond
Implementation Method 3
adsorbing the separation layer to the sulfonated surface of the supporting membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A composite membrane comprising a supporting membrane that includes polyphenylene oxide and a separation layer that is disposed on one main surface of the supporting membrane, wherein the polyphenylene oxide is sulfonated on the one main surface of the supporting membrane and the separation layer includes polyvinyl alcohol having an ionic functional group.