Nitrogen-Containing Copolymer for Flexible, Alkali-Resistant AEMs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) used in various applications suffer from poor flexibility and alkali resistance, leading to degradation in alkaline environments, which affects their ion conduction performance and service life, particularly in fuel batteries.

Innovation Solution

A nitrogen-containing multicomponent copolymer is developed, comprising specific chain segments and manufactured through a polymerization process using aromatic and branched monomers, followed by quaternization to create an anionic resin with improved structural stability and alkali resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional anionic resins with rigid polymer main chains (polyphenylene ether, polyarylene ether, polysulfone) are used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility and film-forming ability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility and film-forming ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer structure is segmented into three distinct chain segments: (I) rigid aromatic backbone providing structural stability, (II) flexible aliphatic side chains providing flexibility and film-forming ability, and (III) nitrogen-containing functional groups providing ion conduction. This segmentation allows each segment to fulfill its specific function without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the polymer chain are assigned different properties: the aromatic backbone (chain segment I) has high rigidity for structural stability, the aliphatic side chains (chain segment II) have high flexibility for membrane formation, and the nitrogen-containing groups (chain segment III) provide ionic conductivity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall structural stability and local flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If multicomponent ammonium/phosphonium/imidazolium/guanidine-based cations are used as functional side chains, then ion conduction performance is improved, but alkali resistance deteriorates in high-temperature alkaline environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion conduction performanceVSAvoidalkali resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the functional groups by using nitrogen-containing groups with specific molecular structures (chain segment III) that have enhanced thermal and chemical stability. This parameter change allows the functional groups to maintain ion conduction performance while resisting degradation in high-temperature alkaline environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polymer structure combining rigid aromatic units, flexible aliphatic chains, and nitrogen-containing functional groups in a specific architectural arrangement. This composite structure synergistically provides both ion conduction performance and alkali resistance, as each component contributes its advantageous properties to the overall material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 anion exchange membrane exhibits enhanced flexibility and alkali resistance, maintaining stability in electrolytic processes and optimizing electrode interface contact, thereby extending its service life and performance.

Implementation Method 1

adding an organic acid catalyst to the reaction base solution such that at least two of the aromatic monomer, the acetal monomer, the piperidone monomer and the quinuclidone monomer in the reaction base solution undergo a polymerization reaction under the action of the organic acid catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization reaction:

Implementation Method 2

enabling the above multicomponent copolymer and quaternization reagent undergo a quaternization reaction to obtain the anionic resin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectQuaternization reaction:

Data Source

PatentUS20250243308A1Nitrogen-containing multicomponent copolymer, manufacturing method thereof, anionic resin, and anion exchange membrane

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 EVE HYDROGEN ENERGY CO LTD

AI summary

An anitrogen-containing multicomponent copolymer is provided, and includes at least two of a chain segment I, a chain segment II, and a chain segment III. A structural formula of the chain segment I is represented bywhere Ar1 is an aryl structural unit. A structural formula of the chain segment II is represented bywhere Ar2 is an aryl structural unit. A structural formula of the chain segment III is represented bywhere Ar3 is an aryl structural unit.