Functionalized Ionic Polymers With Low-Exotherm Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of polymers with controlled ionizable or ionic moieties for use in electrochemical cells is hindered by exothermic reactions during polymerization, leading to uneven molecular weight distribution and performance inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a terminating agent like toluene in the polymerization reaction to minimize or eliminate exotherms, resulting in polymers with a more uniform molecular weight distribution and improved polydispersity index, as evidenced by the use of toluene compared to methanol termination methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If methanol is used to terminate the polymerization reaction, then the polymerization can be completed, but the reaction temperature increases up to about 40°C and the polydispersity index becomes higher (2.7 or as high as 3.3)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces toluene as an intermediary terminating agent that mediates the polymerization termination process. Toluene serves as a intermediate medium that allows termination without the harmful exothermic effects of direct methanol termination, thereby maintaining lower reaction temperatures and achieving better polydispersity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the termination method parameter from direct methanol termination to toluene termination followed by precipitation in methanol. This parameter change transforms the termination process to avoid exothermic reactions, maintaining reaction temperature at room temperature (25°C) and achieving lower polydispersity indices (less than 2.7, less than 2.5, less than 2.6, less than 2.4, less than 2.3, less than 2.2, less than 2.1 or even less than 2.0).
2Productivity
If the polymerization reaction is terminated quickly, then productivity is improved, but exothermic reactions cause uneven molecular weight distribution and performance inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
Toluene acts as an intermediary that enables rapid termination without exothermic reactions. The toluene termination followed by precipitation in methanol allows the polymerization to be completed quickly while maintaining uniform molecular weight distribution, thus improving both productivity and manufacturing precision simultaneously.
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 production of polymers with controlled ionizable or ionic moieties, enhancing charge conduction and tuning properties in electrochemical cell applications by maintaining reaction temperatures at room temperature and achieving polydispersity indices below 2.7, thereby improving the consistency and performance of polymer-based electrolyte membranes.
Implementation Method 1
a terminating agent (e.g., toluene) is added to a polymerization reaction mixture in such a way that any resulting exotherm is minimized or eliminated
Implementation Method 2
when the polymerization is terminated by methanol, an exotherm is observed... when the polymerization is terminated with toluene and subsequently precipitated in methanol
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to compositions comprising a first structure of the formula:or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, Ar1, and n are defined herein. Materials, devices, and methods of using such compositions are also described.