Fluorinated Elastomer Binder for Chemically Stable Flexible Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flexible electronics devices, such as batteries and fuel cells, face premature failure due to lack of materials that provide both chemical stability and mechanical flexibility under extreme conditions like high pH, high salinity, and mechanical deformation, limiting their performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
Development of chemical-resistant elastomer binders comprising fluorine or halogen-containing polymers that form elastic polymer-particle composites, enabling the creation of flexible, high-performance electrochemical systems capable of withstanding harsh conditions and maintaining mechanical resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional binders are used in flexible electronics, then manufacturing is easier and cost is lower, but chemical stability under extreme conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining fluorine-containing polymer particles with conventional binder matrices. This composite approach enables the binder to achieve superior chemical stability and pH resistance while maintaining compatibility with existing flexible electronics manufacturing processes, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture
2Reliability
If chemically resistant materials are used, then chemical stability improves, but mechanical flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating fluorine-containing polymer particles specifically at the binder-particle interface and within the binder matrix. This localized enhancement provides chemical resistance exactly where needed (at the electrochemical interface) while the bulk binder material maintains its mechanical flexibility and elasticity
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite binder system where fluorine-containing polymer particles are dispersed within a flexible binder matrix, the invention achieves both chemical stability (from the fluorinated component) and mechanical flexibility (from the matrix), resolving the contradiction between these two properties
3Duration of action of stationary object
If durable materials resistant to harsh conditions are used, then duration of action improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes commercially available fluorine-containing polymer particles that can be easily incorporated into existing binder formulations. This approach avoids the need for complex custom-synthesized materials while achieving enhanced durability, thus minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The composite binder structure provides a straightforward path to enhanced durability: fluorinated particles are mixed with conventional binder materials using standard processing techniques. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving resistance to harsh electrochemical conditions and extending device operational 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 use of these binders results in flexible electronics with enhanced chemical stability, high areal energy density, and improved mechanical resilience, enabling prolonged operation and durability under various environmental conditions, including high pH and high salinity.
Implementation Method 1
The organic solvent is capable of vaporizing from the matrix such that the printable ink forms an elastic polymer-particle composite upon removal of at least a part of the organic solvent from the printable ink
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions, materials, methods, articles of manufacture and devices that pertain to chemical-resistant elastomer binders and flexible, printed, high-performance electrochemical systems based on said binders. The chemical-resistant, flexible elastomer binder can be used in printable, flexible high areal energy density batteries for wearable and flexible electronics and printable, flexible fuel cells. More generally, the disclosed binder material can be used in any printed electrochemical and electronic systems, e.g., supercapacitors, electrochromic cells, sensors, circuit interconnections, organic electrochemical transistors, touch screens, solar cells, etc.