Magnesium Hydroxide Diaphragm for Alkaline Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diaphragms for alkaline water electrolysis using zirconium oxide and titanium oxide are expensive, heavy, and prone to inorganic component dissolution in alkali solutions, leading to reduced electrolysis efficiency and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A diaphragm comprising magnesium hydroxide and an organic polymer resin, such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, or polyphenylsulfone, which reduces inorganic component dissolution and provides excellent ion permeability and gas barrier properties at a lower cost, with magnesium hydroxide being less expensive and having a lower specific gravity than traditional materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zirconium oxide or titanium oxide is used in the diaphragm to enhance ion permeability and gas barrier properties, then the diaphragm performance is improved, but the production cost increases and the diaphragm becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by replacing zirconium oxide and titanium oxide with magnesium hydroxide particles. This substitution maintains the functional requirements for ion permeability and gas barrier properties while significantly reducing the specific gravity and weight of the diaphragm, as magnesium hydroxide has a lower density than the conventional metal oxides
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite diaphragm structure combining magnesium hydroxide particles with a polyolefin resin matrix. This composite material approach allows the diaphragm to achieve the necessary ion permeability and gas barrier properties through the synergistic combination of inorganic particles and organic polymer, while avoiding the weight penalty of traditional metal oxide composites
2Reliability
If zirconium oxide or titanium oxide is used in the diaphragm to improve ion permeability, then the electrolysis efficiency is enhanced, but the inorganic component dissolves in alkali solution, reducing electrolysis efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs magnesium hydroxide, which is more cost-effective and chemically stable in alkali solutions compared to zirconium oxide and titanium oxide. Although magnesium hydroxide can dissolve in water, its solubility is significantly lower in high-concentration alkali solutions, making it a more durable choice for maintaining ion permeability without the harmful dissolution effect that plagues traditional metal oxide diaphragms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by selecting magnesium hydroxide with specific particle size (0.01-5.0 μm) and concentration (30-90 mass%) to optimize the balance between ion permeability and alkali resistance. This parameter optimization ensures the diaphragm maintains its functional properties while resisting dissolution in the harsh alkali environment of water electrolysis
3Reliability
If zirconium oxide or titanium oxide is used in the diaphragm to achieve high gas barrier properties, then the separation of hydrogen and oxygen is improved, but the diaphragm becomes expensive and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size and concentration parameters of magnesium hydroxide to achieve cost-effective gas barrier properties. By controlling the particle size within 0.01-5.0 μm and maintaining 30-90 mass% concentration, the diaphragm achieves sufficient gas separation performance at a lower production cost compared to using zirconium oxide or titanium oxide
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite structure where magnesium hydroxide particles are dispersed in a polyolefin resin matrix. This composite approach provides cost-effective gas barrier properties through the combination of inexpensive materials, avoiding the high cost of traditional metal oxide-based diaphragms while maintaining adequate hydrogen and oxygen separation performance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a diaphragm for alkaline water electrolysis with reduced dissolution of an inorganic component in an alkali solution at low cost. The present invention relates to a diaphragm for alkaline water electrolysis, including magnesium hydroxide and an organic polymer resin.