Macro-Porous Ionic Membrane Scaffold for Strength and Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developing a solid state ionic conductive membrane with enhanced mechanical strength on a macro porous support scaffold while maintaining fluid dynamic advantages is challenging, as existing methods often compromise permeability and surface area.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming a solid state ionic conductive membrane on a macro porous support scaffold by pre-filling the scaffold with removable fillers such as salt, resin, or wax, followed by deposition and sintering, and then removing the filler to create a continuous, thin membrane with improved mechanical strength and ionic conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a macro porous support scaffold is used to enhance mechanical strength, then the membrane's mechanical strength is improved, but the fluid dynamic advantages and permeability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffold structure is segmented into a hierarchical porous system with macro pores (for mechanical strength and fluid dynamics) and micro/nano pores (for ionic conduction and surface area), allowing each scale to fulfill its specific function without compromising the others
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the membrane are designed with different pore sizes and distributions - the macro porous scaffold provides mechanical support and fluid flow channels, while the thin film layer provides high surface area for ionic conduction, creating localized functional zones that resolve the contradiction
2Quantity of substance
If the membrane thickness is reduced to maintain fluid dynamic advantages, then permeability and fluid flow are improved, but mechanical strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is constructed as a composite system combining a macro porous scaffold (providing mechanical strength) with a thin ionic conductive film layer (providing permeability and surface area), where each component compensates for the weaknesses of the other
Solution Approach 2:
The thin ionic conductive film is nested onto the surface of the macro porous scaffold, creating a layered structure where the scaffold provides the mechanical backbone and the thin film provides the functional ionic conduction pathway
3Area of moving object
If a continuous thin film is grown on a macro porous structure, then surface area and ionic conductivity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The macro porous scaffold is prepared in advance with optimized pore structure and surface characteristics before the thin film deposition, creating a pre-conditioned substrate that facilitates uniform film growth and reduces manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A slurry or precursor solution is used as an intermediary medium to deposit the ionic conductive material uniformly on the complex macro porous surface, simplifying the coating process compared to direct continuous film growth methods
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 allows for the creation of a chemically stable, mechanically robust ionic conductive membrane with high ionic conductivity (>10−7 S/cm) and low electronic conductivity, suitable for various applications including gas filtration and metal ion separation, while maintaining the membrane's fluid dynamic advantages.
Implementation Method 1
pre-filling the scaffold with removable fillers such as salt, resin, or wax
Implementation Method 2
deposition and sintering
Implementation Method 3
removing the filler to create a continuous, thin membrane
Implementation Method 4
removing the filler to create a continuous, thin membrane
Implementation Method 5
high ionic conductivity (>10−7 S/cm)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a solid state ionic conductive membrane includes forming a solid state ionic conductive membrane on a support scaffold and treating the support scaffold to be macro porous.