Crosslinked Anion-Exchange Membrane for Low Resistance and Acid Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anion-exchange membranes face challenges with high sheet resistance, limited ion exchange capacity, and poor chemical resistance, especially in the presence of highly concentrated acids and alkalines.

Innovation Solution

The development of an anion-exchange membrane featuring a porous polymer support with a crosslinked anion-exchange polymer uniformly distributed on its surface and within its pores, utilizing a crosslinkable monomer represented by Formula 1, which enhances ion exchange capacity and chemical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If hydrocarbon-based anion-exchange membranes are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but chemical resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidchemical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining a porous polymer support (hydrocarbon-based for cost efficiency) with a perfluorinated anion-exchange polymer coating (for superior chemical resistance). This composite approach allows the membrane to achieve both low cost and high chemical resistance by assigning different functions to different material components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If perfluorinated anion-exchange membranes are used to improve chemical resistance, then chemical resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies perfluorinated anion-exchange polymer only where it is most needed - on the surface and within the pores of the porous support - rather than using it throughout the entire membrane structure. This local application provides maximum chemical resistance at minimum cost, as the expensive perfluorinated material is concentrated in the regions that require it most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a porous polymer support structure that allows the perfluorinated anion-exchange polymer to be distributed throughout the pore network. This porous structure increases the surface area and volume available for ion exchange while maintaining cost efficiency through the use of a hydrocarbon-based support material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Quantity of substance

If ion exchange capacity is increased to enhance membrane properties, then ion exchange capacity is improved, but sheet resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion exchange capacityVSAvoidsheet resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous polymer support with optimized pore structure that allows high ion exchange capacity through increased surface area and pore volume, while the porous structure itself provides conductive pathways that maintain low sheet resistance. The porosity enables better ion transport without requiring excessive ion exchange groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure of porous support combined with perfluorinated anion-exchange polymer creates synergistic effects where the porous framework provides structural integrity and ion transport pathways, while the perfluorinated polymer provides high ion exchange capacity with good electrical conductivity, achieving both high IEC and low sheet resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 membrane achieves low sheet resistance, high ion exchange capacity, and excellent chemical resistance, enabling its use in systems with highly concentrated acids and alkalines.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating light onto the laminate and subjecting the composition to a crosslinking reaction to form, on the surface and in the pores of the porous polymer support, an anion-exchange polymer that is a crosslinked product of the composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

an anion-exchange membrane is a synthetic resin membrane that selectively transmits anions by virtue of positively charged functional groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP4559955A1Anion-exchange membrane and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 TORAY ADVANCED MATERIALS KOREA INC
  • EP4559955A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4559955A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4559955A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are an anion-exchange membrane and a manufacturing method therefor. The anion-exchange membrane may include: a porous polymer support composed of a membrane structure; and an anion-exchange polymer, wherein the anion-exchange polymer may be present on a surface and in pores of the porous polymer support, anion-exchange groups of the anion-exchange polymer may be uniformly distributed on the surface and in the pores of the porous polymer support, and the anion-exchange polymer may be a crosslinked product of a composition including a crosslinkable monomer represented by Formula 1: wherein X- is as disclosed in the specification.