Hydrophobic Fluorinated Mixed Matrix Membranes Adhesion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrophobic perfluorinated or highly fluorinated polymers do not adhere well to microporous fillers due to their chemical inertness, making it difficult to form defect-free mixed matrix membranes, and the use of traditional modification agents can lead to self-condensation and vulnerability to hydrolysis.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using bi- or tri-functional fluorophilic surface modifying agents to treat microporous fillers with a modest excess, forming stronger bonds and preventing self-condensation, allowing for homogeneous dispersion and improved adhesion in hydrophobic perfluorinated or highly fluorinated polymer matrices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional modification agents are used to treat microporous fillers, then adhesion to the polymer matrix is improved, but self-condensation occurs and the modified surface becomes vulnerable to hydrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the modification agent by using bi- or tri-functional fluorophilic agents with specific molecular structures (containing fluorinated radicals and reactive groups like -Cl, -Br, or -OR') that prevent self-condensation while ensuring stable bonding to both the filler surface and polymer matrix, thereby resolving the contradiction between adhesion strength and hydrolytical stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite modification layer on the filler surface that combines the fluorophilic polymer-compatible groups with the inorganic filler surface, forming a stable interface that resists hydrolysis while maintaining strong adhesion to the perfluorinated polymer matrix
2Reliability
If hydrophobic perfluorinated polymers are used as the continuous phase, then chemical resistance and hydrophobicity are improved, but adhesion to microporous fillers deteriorates due to chemical inertness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluorophilic surface modifying agents as intermediary compounds that bridge the hydrophobic perfluorinated polymer and the microporous filler. These agents contain both fluorinated groups that interact with the polymer and reactive groups that bond to the filler surface, thereby mediating the interface between chemically inert polymer and inorganic filler
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface chemistry parameters of the microporous filler by introducing fluorinated groups through reaction with fluorophilic modification agents, making the filler surface more compatible with the hydrophobic polymer matrix and enabling strong adhesion while maintaining the polymer's chemical resistance
3Productivity
If microporous fillers with high aspect ratio are used, then permeability and selectivity are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to orientation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary surface modification of the microporous fillers with fluorophilic agents before incorporating them into the polymer matrix. This preliminary treatment ensures that the fillers are pre-prepared with the correct surface chemistry, allowing them to be easily dispersed and oriented in the desired direction during membrane formation without requiring complex post-processing
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
This approach results in mixed matrix membranes with enhanced permeability and selectivity, particularly for CO2 separation from methane mixtures, while reducing costs and avoiding the drawbacks of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
two or three displaceable radicals of silicon are able to react with the external surface of the porous particles thus enabling silicon to graft on it with two or three bonds
Implementation Method 2
enabling silicon to graft on it with two or three bonds, in order to impart hydrolytical stability to the graft
Implementation Method 3
The membranes of the present invention can be applied in the separation of gas and liquid mixtures, in the separation of solutes from a solution
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a type of hydrophobic composite membranes comprising a) a hydrophobic perfluorinated or highly fluorinated polymer b) a porous filler, and preferably a porous filler with high aspect ratio with its largest dimensions parallel to the membrane surface; to said membranes; to the use of said membranes in separation methods. In particular this invention relates to a method for preparing composite membranes comprising a hydrophobic perfluorinated or highly fluorinated polymer, and fillers having pores in the micro, meso and macro region, comprising the steps of: modification of porous fillers with a fluorophilic surface modifying agent; mixing the porous filler with a solution of the polymer; forming a homogeneous distribution of the porous filler in the solution of the polymer; casting of the membrane; removing solvent from the composite membrane.