Oxide Ceramic Substrate via Ion Exchange Resin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for synthesizing oxide ceramic substrates, such as those involving powder metallurgy and gel casting, face challenges in producing substrates with controlled composition and porosity, particularly in managing macroporous networks and avoiding the use of toxic compounds and complex optimizations.

Innovation Solution

A process involving ion exchange resin, where chemical elements in ionic form are fixed to the resin, followed by heat treatment and selective removal of a sacrificial oxide ceramic to produce a substrate with controlled composition and porosity, avoiding the use of powders and gels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If powder metallurgy or slip-casting techniques are used to manufacture oxide ceramic substrates, then the substrates can be produced with dense structure, but it becomes difficult to achieve controlled porosity and precise chemical composition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of porosity and chemical compositionVSAvoiddifficulty in adapting dense ceramic techniques for porous substrates
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of material form from discrete powders to ionic solutions. By using ionic forms of chemical elements that can be exchanged on resin, the process enables precise control of chemical composition and porosity through solution chemistry parameters (concentration, pH, exchange capacity) rather than powder handling parameters, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture for porous substrates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces ion exchange resin as an intermediary carrier between the chemical elements and the final ceramic substrate. The resin provides a controlled matrix for ionic exchange that enables precise compositional control and porosity management, eliminating the difficulties of directly manipulating powders or suspensions while achieving the desired porous ceramic structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If gel casting processes are used to shape ceramic parts, then complex shapes can be rapidly formed with good homogeneity, but toxic compounds are required and complex optimizations are needed to limit surface exfoliation and internal stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverapid shaping of complex ceramic partsVSAvoiduse of toxic compounds and complex optimizations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses ion exchange resin as a temporary, disposable carrier that is completely removed during heat treatment. The resin serves its purpose of enabling controlled ionic exchange and compositional precision, then is discarded in the form of CO2 and H2O during thermal decomposition, eliminating the need for toxic gel casting compounds while maintaining rapid shaping capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs strong oxidizing conditions during heat treatment to completely decompose the organic resin carrier. This accelerated oxidation process efficiently removes all traces of the resin at temperatures below 1000°C, avoiding the need for complex optimizations to limit surface exfoliation and internal stresses that plague gel casting processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Shape

If macroporous networks are produced using powder suspensions, then porous structures can be formed, but stable slurries of large particles are very difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformation of macroporous networksVSAvoiddifficulty in managing stable slurries of large particles
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the particle size parameter from large powder particles (>10 μm) to molecular-scale ionic species in solution. This parameter change eliminates the stability problems of slurries while enabling the formation of macroporous networks through controlled ionic exchange and subsequent resin decomposition, directly resolving the contradiction between shape formation and ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 process allows for the production of oxide ceramic substrates with precise chemical composition and controlled pore size and distribution, enhancing thermal and chemical stability, and reducing the need for hazardous materials and complex optimizations.

Implementation Method 1

contacting an aqueous solution comprising one or more chemical elements, referred to as the first chemical element(s), intended to form part of the first oxide ceramic, and one or more chemical elements, referred to as the second chemical element(s), intended to form part of a second oxide ceramic, the first chemical element(s) and the second chemical element(s) being in ionic form, whereby the first chemical element(s) and the second chemical element(s) remain fixed by ionic exchange to the resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

heat-treating said resin under an oxidizing atmosphere to form a mixture comprising said first oxide ceramic and said second oxide ceramic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

selectively removing said second oxide ceramic, whereby the substrate comprising a first oxide ceramic remains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelective dissolution:

Data Source

PatentEP3034483B1Method for preparing an oxide ceramic substrate using an ion exchange resin
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3034483B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for preparing a substrate comprising a first oxide ceramic, comprising successively: a) a step of contacting an aqueous solution comprising one or more chemical elements, referred to as the first chemical element(s), intended to be incorporated into the constitution of the first oxide ceramic, and one or more chemical elements, referred to as the second chemical element(s), intended to be incorporated into the constitution of a second oxide ceramic, by which means the said first chemical element(s) and the said second chemical element(s) remain fixed to the resin; b) a step of heat-treating said resin under an oxidizing atmosphere to form a mixture comprising said first oxide ceramic and said second oxide ceramic; c) a step of selectively removing said second oxide ceramic, by which means the substrate comprising a first oxide ceramic remains.