Functionalized Microporous Ladder Polymers for Selective Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microporous polymers lack functional groups in well-defined arrangements, limiting their application in selective separations and electrochemical devices, and existing methods for modifying polymer backbones with functional groups are inefficient, restricting their use in gas separations, pervaporation, fuel cells, and batteries.
Innovation Solution
Development of microporous polymers with site-specific amino methylated side chains and 1,4-dicyanoarenes, allowing for tailored architectures and high fractional free volume, enabling controlled transport properties and stability in high-pH environments, particularly in aqueous electrochemical cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microporous polymers are used for gas separations and electrochemical applications, then transport selectivity and stability are improved, but the lack of functional groups in well-defined arrangements limits their application performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces site-specific functional groups (amino methylated side chains and 1,4-dicyanoarenes) at predetermined locations along the polymer backbone. This local quality enhancement allows different regions of the polymer to perform specialized functions: the rigid backbone provides structural stability in high-pH environments, while the strategically placed functional groups enable selective transport and interaction with specific molecules, thus resolving the contradiction between general stability and specialized adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer structure combining multiple functional motifs (amine-functionalized monomer segments, amidoxime-functionalized monomer segments, rigid backbone units, and contortion sites) within a single polymer architecture. This composite approach integrates the stability-providing rigid backbone with the selectivity-providing functional groups, achieving both reliability in harsh environments and adaptability for specific separation applications simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing methods for modifying polymer backbones with functional groups are used, then polymer functionality is improved, but the modification process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates functional groups directly into the monomer units before polymerization, rather than attempting to modify the polymer backbone after formation. This preliminary action during the synthesis stage ensures high efficiency since the functional groups are installed in a single step during monomer incorporation, avoiding the need for subsequent complex and time-consuming post-polymerization modification reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses discrete monomer segments containing specific functional groups (amine-functionalized, amidoxime-functionalized) that are assembled during polymerization. This segmentation approach allows each functional group to be independently optimized and incorporated at controlled frequencies along the polymer chain, achieving high functionality with efficient, modular synthesis rather than attempting to modify the entire polymer backbone at once
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to microporous ladder polymers containing amine-functionalized monomer segments, amidoxime-functionalized monomer segments, or a combination thereof. Monomer compounds for preparation of the polymers are also described, as well as membranes and electrochemical cells containing the polymers.