Fluorinated Poly Aryl Ether Anion Exchange Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ion exchange membranes, particularly perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes, are costly, prone to cross-pollution in vanadium redox batteries, and require expensive nano-sized platinum catalysts in fuel cells, while their acidic nature limits the use of cheaper catalysts and complicates manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing a fluorinated poly(aryl ether) anion electrolyte membrane through steps involving dissolving a fluorinated poly(aryl ether) ionomer in a solvent, adding a crosslink component and inorganic precursor, mixing with a crosslink catalyst, and heating to form an interpenetrating polymer network membrane, which reduces costs and improves stability and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes are used, then ion conductivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the membrane by using fluorinated poly(aryl ether) ionomer with specific fluorine substitution patterns instead of perfluorinated sulfonic acid structure. This parameter change maintains ion conductivity while simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating inorganic particles into the fluorinated poly(aryl ether) ionomer matrix. This composite approach enhances membrane performance including ion conductivity while using more cost-effective materials compared to pure perfluorinated structures.
2Reliability
If perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes are used, then ion conductivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies manufacturing by changing the chemical structure parameter from complex perfluorinated sulfonic acid to fluorinated poly(aryl ether) with hydroxyl or carboxyl groups, which are more straightforward to synthesize and process industrially.
3Reliability
If sulfonic groups are used in perfluorinated membranes, then proton transfer is enabled, but vanadium ion cross-pollution occurs in VRB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing negative charge groups (carboxylate or fluorinated alkyl chains) at specific locations within the membrane structure to create electrostatic repulsion against vanadium ions, while maintaining proton transfer channels through the poly(aryl ether) backbone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the charge mechanism parameter from sulfonic acid groups to carboxylate groups or fluorinated alkyl chains, which provide similar proton conductivity but better rejection of vanadium ions due to different electrostatic properties and size exclusion characteristics.
4Reliability
If perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes are used, then ion selectivity is improved, but catalyst cost increases due to acidic requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using fluorinated poly(aryl ether) with negative charge groups instead of perfluorinated sulfonic acid with positive sulfonic groups. This inversion maintains ion selectivity through electrostatic mechanisms while enabling the use of cheaper non-noble metal catalysts in alkaline environments.
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 resulting anion electrolyte membrane exhibits good stability, mechanical properties, and ionic conductivity with low VO2+ permeability, enabling cost reduction and performance enhancement in fuel cells and batteries.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving a fluorinated poly(aryl ether) ionomer in a solvent in a protective gas to form a ionomer solution
Implementation Method 2
adding a crosslink component to the ionomer solution to dissolve the crosslink component in the ionomer solution... mixing with a crosslink catalyst... heating to form an interpenetrating polymer network membrane
Implementation Method 3
introducing an inorganic component precursor and water to the transparent solution to form a sol-gel mixture
Implementation Method 4
heating to form an interpenetrating polymer network membrane
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for making anion electrolyte membrane a fluorinated poly(aryl ether) ionomer is dissolved in a solvent to form a ionomer solution. A crosslink component is added to the ionomer solution, to achieve a transparent solution. An inorganic component precursor and water are introduced to the transparent solution, to form a sol-gel mixture. A crosslink catalyst is mixed with the sol-gel mixture to form a membrane casting solution. The membrane casting solution is coated on a substrate to form a membrane, and heated. The membrane is removed from the substrate.