Conductive Sheet Manufacturing Using PEDOT Microparticles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing conductive paper are complex and costly, with electron conductive polymers often being washed away during the papermaking process, limiting large-scale and cost-effective production.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of microparticles comprising hydrophilic electron conducting polymers and a fibrous material, where the microparticles are formed through acid treatment or ionic liquid treatment, and combined with a fibrous material to create a conductive layer by draining a liquid composition through a filter, ensuring retention of the polymer and facilitating quick formation of a conductive sheet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional papermaking methods are used to produce conductive paper, then the process is simple and scalable, but the electron conductive polymer is washed away during water drainage through the wire cloth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectron conductive polymerVSAvoidpapermaking process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces anionic cellulose fibres as an intermediary substance that mediates between the electron conductive polymer and the wire cloth. These fibres form a retention matrix that physically traps the polymer particles, preventing them from being washed away during drainage while maintaining the simplicity of the conventional papermaking process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses microparticles comprising electron conductive polymer as a substitute for traditional conductive additives. These microparticles are designed to mimic the behavior of fine particles in papermaking while providing superior conductivity and retention properties, effectively copying the role of traditional fillers but with enhanced functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of substance

If complex nanotechnology layer-by-layer techniques are used to coat fibres with conductive polymers, then polymer retention is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectron conductive polymerVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the conductive polymer into microparticle form rather than using continuous coating layers. This segmentation allows the polymer to be handled as discrete particles that can be retained through simple filtration mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex layer-by-layer deposition equipment while maintaining high retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and size parameters of the electron conductive polymer by forming microparticles with specific size distributions. This parameter change enables the polymer to be retained through conventional papermaking filtration without requiring advanced nanotechnology equipment, simplifying the manufacturing process while improving retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If microparticles comprising electron conductive polymer are used with fibrous material, then polymer retention is improved, but additional processing steps are required to form microparticles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectron conductive polymerVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-forming microparticles comprising electron conductive polymer before the papermaking process. These microparticles are prepared in advance and then simply mixed with the fibrous material and water, allowing the actual papermaking to proceed at high speed without interruption for particle formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method allows for the efficient and cost-effective production of conductive sheets with high conductivity, suitable for applications in energy conversion and storage devices, by retaining electron conductive polymers within the paper web during the papermaking process, enhancing scalability and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

treatment of an aqueous suspension of PEDOT:PSS with sulfuric acid will remove the PSS charging agents of the nanoparticles in the suspension, leading to aggregation of PEDOT and formation of PEDOT microparticles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAggregation: Coagulation

Implementation Method 2

substitution of the PSS with small anions by acid treatment or by other means, such as by treatment with an ionic liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSubstitution: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

draining liquid from the liquid composition, thereby forming a conductive layer comprising the electron conducting polymer and the fibrous material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3493222B1Manufacturing of a conductive sheet
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 RISE RES INST OF SWEDEN AB
  • EP3493222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3493222B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3493222B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a conductive sheet. The method comprises the steps of providing microparticles comprising a hydrophilic electron conducting polymer; providing a fibrous material comprising hydrophilic fibres; forming a liquid composition comprising the microparticles and the fibrous material; and draining liquid from the liquid composition, thereby forming a conductive layer comprising the electron conducting polymer and the fibrous material. A conductive sheet comprising a conductive layer, the conductive layer comprising an electron conducting polymer and a fibrous material. Use of a conductive sheet as an electrode. An electronic device comprising a conductive sheet.