Ionic Polyimide Materials for High-Temperature CO2 Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for capturing carbon dioxide, such as using aqueous amines and ionic liquids, face limitations in high-temperature applications and stability, necessitating the development of new materials with improved structural and chemical properties for effective CO2 capture.

Innovation Solution

The synthesis of ionic polyimides with designable structures, incorporating an ionic functionality, allows for tunable properties and enhanced CO2 absorption capabilities, achieved through reactions between dianhydrides and amines attached to ionizable heteroaryls, with the option to incorporate ionic liquids for improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If aqueous amines are used to capture carbon dioxide, then CO2 capture capability is improved, but material stability deteriorates due to amine degradation and solvent evaporation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 capture capabilityVSAvoidmaterial stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite materials by combining polyimide polymer chains with ionic liquid molecules. The polyimide provides structural stability and thermal resistance, while the ionic liquid components provide CO2 capture functionality through chemical bonding. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by maintaining the stability of the polyimide backbone while incorporating the CO2-absorbing ionic liquid moieties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the material system by introducing ionizable heteroaryl groups that can be alkylated to form ionic polyimides. This parameter change transforms the material from conventional polyimide to ionic polyimide, enabling CO2 capture functionality while maintaining thermal and chemical stability through the designed molecular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If ionic liquids are used to capture carbon dioxide, then CO2 dissolution rate is improved, but applicability deteriorates under high temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 dissolution rateVSAvoidhigh temperature applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops composite materials where polyimide provides high-temperature stability and ionic liquid components provide CO2 dissolution capability. The polyimide matrix maintains structural integrity at elevated temperatures while the ionic liquid functional groups remain active for CO2 capture, thus extending applicability to high-temperature environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses polyimide as an intermediary carrier that stabilizes the ionic liquid components at high temperatures. The polyimide structure acts as a framework that prevents degradation of the ionic liquid moieties while allowing them to perform CO2 dissolution functions, thereby enabling high-temperature application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If conventional polyimides are used, then mechanical stability is improved, but CO2 capture functionality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidCO2 capture functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality modification by introducing ionic liquid functional groups at specific locations within the polyimide structure. The polyimide backbone maintains its mechanical stability, while the ionic liquid moieties attached at specific positions provide CO2 capture functionality. This localized functionalization resolves the contradiction between mechanical stability and CO2 capture capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite materials that combine the mechanical strength of polyimide with the CO2 capture functionality of ionic liquids. The composite structure allows both properties to coexist, with the polyimide providing structural integrity and the ionic liquid components providing gas capture capability through chemical bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Manufacturing precision

If ionic polyimides are synthesized through designable approaches, then structural control is improved, but synthesis complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural controlVSAvoidsynthesis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the synthesis process into discrete steps: first forming the polyimide backbone through condensation of dianhydride and diamine, then introducing ionic liquid functional groups through alkylation of heteroaryl groups. This segmentation allows for controlled structural modification at each stage, achieving designable structural control while managing synthesis complexity through systematic approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by first synthesizing the polyimide backbone with predetermined structure, then subsequently introducing ionic liquid functional groups. This sequential approach allows for pre-planning and control of the base structure before adding functional moieties, thereby achieving structural control while managing the overall synthesis complexity through staged preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ionic polyimides exhibit improved CO2 capture efficiency and mechanical properties, enabling effective gas separation and stability in high-temperature conditions, surpassing the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

The resulting ionic polyimides exhibit improved CO2 capture efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The ionic liquid can also serve as an excellent solvent environment for amines. Additionally, methods have been developed to design ionic liquids to chemically bond with CO2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The heteroaryl can then be ionized through an alkylation reaction with a molecule comprising at least two leaving groups, which can generate a polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAlkylation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9845380B2Ionic polyimide materials and methods of use
Publication Date: 2017.12.19 UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
  • US9845380B2 patent drawing
  • US9845380B2 patent drawing
  • US9845380B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are compositions and methods of preparing ionic polyimides. Also disclosed are methods to tune the properties of the ionic polyimide by designing the components of the ionic polyimide. Additionally, disclosed herein is a composition comprising an ionic polyimide. Also disclosed herein is a composition comprising an ionic polyimide and an ionic liquid. The disclosed compositions can be utilized to capture gases.