Crosslinked Anion Binder for Solid Alkaline Fuel Cell Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-crosslinked polymer binders used in solid alkaline fuel cells are prone to deterioration during electrochemical reactions and complicate the production of electrode slurry due to the crosslinking of polymer resin.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the mixing of quaternary ammonium salts, bisacrylicamide crosslinking agents, and water, followed by ultraviolet crosslinking and subsequent pulverization to nanosized powder, creating a durable anion binder for solid alkaline fuel cells that enhances electrode slurry production and hydroxide ion conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-crosslinked polymer is used as binder, then ease of manufacture is improved, but durability to electrochemical reactions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-crosslinking the polymer binder before it is used in electrode slurry preparation. The crosslinking is performed in advance to create a durable binder structure that resists electrochemical deterioration, while the pre-crosslinked binder can still be easily incorporated into slurry formulation. This resolves the contradiction by establishing the durable crosslinked structure beforehand, eliminating the need for complex in-situ crosslinking during electrode manufacturing.
2Reliability
If crosslinked binder is used to improve durability, then durability to electrochemical reactions is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to crosslinking of polymer resin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the binder into nanosized crosslinked particles through controlled pulverization. This segmentation creates small, discrete particles that can be easily dispersed in slurry formulations without causing the polymer resin to crosslink during slurry preparation. The nanosized particles maintain the durability benefits of crosslinking while eliminating the manufacturing difficulties associated with bulk crosslinked polymers.
3Reliability
If polymer resin is crosslinked, then durability is improved, but production of electrode slurry becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the size parameter of crosslinked polymer particles through pulverization to achieve nanosized dimensions. This size reduction fundamentally changes the handling and dispersibility characteristics of the crosslinked polymer, enabling easy slurry production. The nanosized particles have large surface area to volume ratio and can be readily dispersed in liquid media, resolving the productivity issue while maintaining the durability benefits of crosslinking.
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 crosslinked anion binder improves the durability of solid alkaline fuel cells and facilitates the production of highly uniform electrode slurry, resulting in enhanced hydroxide ion conductivity and improved fuel cell performance.
Implementation Method 1
interposing the solution between polyethylene terephthalate films and irradiating the solution with ultraviolet light for crosslinking and polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns the preparation of an anion binder for a solid alkaline fuel cell which enhances durability to electrochemical reactions and makes the production of electrode slurry easy. A method of preparing an anion binder for a solid alkaline fuel cell includes: (A) mixing an electrolytic monomer of quaternary ammonium salts having a cation group, a bisacrylicamide crosslinking agent having a tertiary amino group, and water together by stirring; (B) mixing the mixture with a photoinitiator; (C) interposing the solution between polyethylene terephthalate films and irradiating the solution with ultraviolet light for crosslinking and polymerization; and (D) pulverizing crosslinked polymerized resin to a nano size.