Oxygen Permeable Polymer Ionomers for Fuel Cell Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ionomers used in electrochemical devices have limited oxygen permeability, hindering the transport of oxygen to reaction sites and limiting the performance of devices like fuel cells and lithium air batteries, while existing air separation technologies also suffer from low oxygen permeability, restricting the efficiency of oxygen-enhanced applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of oxygen permeable monomers, polymers, and ionomers with specific functional groups that allow for the diffusion of oxygen, enabling their use in electrochemical devices and air separation technologies, achieved through the reaction of sulfonyl halide monomers or polymers with oxygen-absorbing compounds under mild base conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional ionomers are used in electrochemical devices, then proton conduction is achieved, but oxygen transport is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining conventional ionomer polymers with metal organic frameworks (MOFs) to create a hybrid material that exhibits both proton conduction properties of the ionomer and enhanced oxygen transport properties of the MOF structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between proton conduction and oxygen transport
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials by incorporating MOFs with well-defined porous structures into the ionomer matrix, creating channels and pathways that facilitate oxygen diffusion while maintaining the continuous ionic pathways necessary for proton conduction, thus improving oxygen transport without sacrificing proton conduction reliability
2Quantity of substance
If air separation technologies are used to increase oxygen concentration, then oxygen molar concentration above 21% is achieved, but selectivity is limited and ion conduction is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions within the electrode material that are specifically designed for oxygen concentration and transport, where the MOF-containing ionomer composite provides localized high oxygen concentration zones near the catalyst sites, achieving both high oxygen molar concentration and improved selectivity simultaneously
3Strength
If dense polymeric ionomers are used as binders in electrodes, then structural integrity is maintained, but oxygen transport to reaction sites is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatially differentiated regions within the electrode structure: dense ionomer regions provide structural integrity and mechanical strength, while MOF-containing regions provide oxygen transport pathways, allowing both structural integrity and oxygen transport to be optimized in different locations of the same electrode material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials to combine the mechanical strength properties of dense polymeric ionomers with the oxygen transport properties of MOFs, creating a composite binder material that simultaneously provides both structural support and oxygen diffusion pathways to reaction sites
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 new materials significantly enhance oxygen transport in electrochemical devices, improving power density and efficiency, and increase the efficiency of air separation processes by allowing preferential diffusion of oxygen over nitrogen, addressing the limitations of conventional ionomers and air separation technologies.
Implementation Method 1
oxygen permeable polymers, co-polymers and ionomers for use in electrochemical devices... allow for the diffusion of oxygen
Implementation Method 2
reacting under a mild base condition a sulfonyl halide monomer or polymer (1) with an oxygen absorbing compound (2) to produce the oxygen permeable polymer (3)
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen permeable polymer has the following formula:wherein RS is a non-sulfonyl halide portion of a sulfonyl halide monomer or polymer; XP is —NH or —NHCO; A is an optionally substituted alkyl; L is 0, 1 or 2; m is 2 or 3; Z is H or CH3; and n is 5-m. The polymer can be used in air separation devices, air concentrators, and in electrodes for electrochemical devices.