Hydrogel-Ceramic Separator for Low-Resistance Gas Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical devices, such as water electrolysers and fuel cells, face challenges with separators that compromise between safety and efficiency due to limitations in thickness, porosity, and chemical stability, particularly in alkaline conditions, leading to high ionic resistance and potential gas crossover.
Innovation Solution
A porous carrier with a hydrogel made of a metal oxide and an aqueous medium is used, which provides low gas permeability, high ionic conductivity, and chemical stability, allowing for efficient ion transport while preventing gas crossover, by creating a membrane-like function within a ceramic-type hydrogel supported by a porous carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a diaphragm separator is used, then gas barrier properties are improved, but ionic resistance increases and thickness must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The separator combines a porous ceramic support structure with a hydrogel coating layer, creating a composite material that integrates the gas barrier properties of the ceramic substrate with the high ionic conductivity of the hydrogel layer, thereby achieving low ionic resistance while maintaining gas barrier performance
Solution Approach 2:
The separator utilizes a porous ceramic substrate with controlled pore structure that provides both mechanical support and gas barrier functionality, while the porosity allows for hydrogel infiltration to enhance ionic conductivity without compromising the gas blocking capability
2Reliability
If separator thickness is reduced to lower ionic resistance, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical robustness and gas barrier properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of a rigid porous ceramic substrate combined with a hydrogel coating enables the separator to achieve thin dimensions with low ionic resistance while the ceramic substrate provides the necessary mechanical strength and gas barrier properties that would be impossible to achieve with hydrogel alone
Solution Approach 2:
The separator employs different materials with specialized functions at different locations: the porous ceramic substrate provides mechanical support and gas barrier properties, while the hydrogel coating layer specifically enhances ionic conductivity at the separator surfaces and pores
3Reliability
If a membrane separator is used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but chemical stability in alkaline conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The separator combines a chemically stable porous ceramic substrate (such as alumina or titania) with a hydrogel coating that provides high ionic conductivity, creating a composite where the ceramic component ensures chemical stability in alkaline environments while the hydrogel maintains excellent ion transport properties
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 solution results in a separator with low ionic resistance and enhanced mechanical robustness, enabling efficient operation in alkaline conditions while maintaining safety by effectively preventing gas crossover and ensuring stable performance.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogel, made of a first metal oxide and an aqueous medium, present within the first of both largest sides and in at least part of the thickness
Implementation Method 2
a porous carrier having two, respectively a first and a second, largest parallel sides separated by a thickness
Implementation Method 3
the separator may have a low gas permeability, i.e., may act as a good gas barrier
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
A separator (3) for an electrochemical device (9), comprising: a. A porous carrier (1) having two, respectively a first and a second, largest parallel sides (15, 16) separated by a thickness, and b. A hydrogel (10), made of a first metal oxide (12) and an aqueous medium, present within the first of both largest sides (15) and in at least part of the thickness.