Graphene Oxide Membrane Nanoparticle Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes are prone to catastrophic swelling in humid environments due to their hygroscopic nature, leading to a loss of sieving capability and practical implementation challenges in gas separation systems.

Innovation Solution

A porous composite membrane is developed by binding nanoparticles to graphene oxide sheets via electrostatic and/or Van der Waals interactions, which improves the membrane's stability and resistance to water-swelling, comprising graphene oxide sheets and nanoparticles that are intercalated between the GO layers to reduce electrostatic repulsion and stabilize the membrane structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If graphene oxide membranes are used for hydrogen separation, then high hydrogen permeance and selectivity are achieved, but the membranes swell catastrophically in humid environments losing sieving capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane stabilityVSAvoidwater-swelling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining graphene oxide sheets with hydrophobic nanoparticles (such as silica, titania, or zirconia) to create a composite membrane structure. The hydrophobic nanoparticles are embedded within the graphene oxide layers to form a composite that resists water-swelling while maintaining hydrogen separation performance. This composite approach allows the membrane to withstand humid environments without catastrophic swelling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the membrane by controlling the oxidation level of graphene oxide and the concentration of hydrophobic nanoparticles. By adjusting these parameters, the membrane achieves optimal balance between hydrogen permeance, selectivity, and resistance to water-swelling. The oxidation level and nanoparticle concentration are tuned to create appropriate interlayer spacing and hydrophobicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If graphene oxide sheets are exposed to humidity, then the sheets become negatively charged and delaminate due to electrostatic repulsion, but the invention maintains structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane structureVSAvoidelectrostatic repulsion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydrophobic nanoparticles as intermediaries between graphene oxide sheets. These nanoparticles act as spacers and mediators that prevent direct electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged GO sheets in humid conditions. The nanoparticles position themselves between the sheets, maintaining structural integrity while allowing the membrane to function in humid environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If nanoparticles are bound to graphene oxide sheets solely by electrostatic and/or Van der Waals interactions, then the membrane achieves improved water stability, but the binding strength must be sufficient to prevent particle detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater stabilityVSAvoidparticle binding

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the porous structure of graphene oxide membranes to embed hydrophobic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are positioned within the porous interlayer spaces of the GO structure, where they are physically constrained and stabilized. This porous architecture provides mechanical support that enhances particle binding strength beyond just electrostatic and Van der Waals interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 composite membrane exhibits enhanced stability and performance under humid conditions, maintaining high H2 permeance and selectivity, with H2 permeance tripled and selectivity retained, compared to pristine GO membranes, while withstanding cyclic humidity and water exposure.

Implementation Method 1

nanoparticles bound to a surface of the graphene oxide sheets solely by electrostatic and/or Van der Waals interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

nanoparticles bound to a surface of the graphene oxide sheets solely by electrostatic and/or Van der Waals interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVan der Waals interaction: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 3

a gas separation system comprising a porous composite membrane in fluidic communication with a gas stream containing a mixture of at least two separable gases including H2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS20230241558A1Graphene Oxide-Nanoparticle Composite Membranes, Preparation and Uses Thereof

Publication Date: 2023.08.03 OOYOO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a porous composite membrane including graphene oxide sheets; nanoparticles bound to a surface of the graphene oxide sheets solely by electrostatic and/or Van der Waals interactions. The present invention also relates to a method of producing the porous composite membrane, a gas separation system including the porous composite membrane, and uses of the porous composite membrane in a process for separating H2 from a gas stream and a process for reducing H2O swelling in a graphene oxide-based membrane.