Phosphonated Fluoroelastomers for Dry High-Temperature Proton Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phosphonized aryl polymers are mechanically unstable and prone to breaking in a dry, non-hydrated state, especially at high temperatures, limiting their application in electromembrane systems.
Innovation Solution
Phosphonization of non-conductive fluor-elastomers (FKM and FFKM) using trialkylphosphites like tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite, which maintains mechanical and chemical stability while enabling proton conductivity even above 100°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphonated aryl polymers are used to achieve proton conductivity at high temperatures, then proton conductivity is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates causing fracture in dry state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the base polymer material from aryl polymers to fluorinated elastomers (FKM/FFKM), which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties while maintaining chemical stability. This parameter change in the polymer backbone structure enables the material to retain flexibility and strength in dry state while incorporating phosphonic acid groups for proton conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure by combining fluorinated elastomer backbone with phosphonic acid functional groups. The fluorinated elastomer provides mechanical strength and chemical stability, while the phosphonic acid groups provide proton conductivity, achieving a synergistic effect that resolves the contradiction between mechanical stability and proton conductivity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If phosphonated aryl polymers are used to achieve thermal stability, then chemical stability is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates in non-hydrogenated state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polymer backbone from aryl structure to fluorinated elastomer structure, which maintains high chemical and thermal stability inherent to fluorinated polymers while providing superior mechanical properties compared to phosphonated aryl polymers. The fluorinated backbone resists chemical degradation while maintaining flexibility across a wide temperature range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies phosphonic acid functional groups locally to the fluorinated elastomer backbone at controlled phosphonation degrees (0.1-5000 wt.%). This localized functionalization provides necessary proton conductivity and chemical stability without compromising the overall mechanical integrity of the fluorinated elastomer matrix.
3Ease of manufacture
If phosphonated polymers are made soluble in organic solvents for membrane production, then ease of manufacture is improved, but mechanical stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the base polymer to fluorinated elastomers which inherently possess good solubility in common organic solvents due to their fluorinated structure. This enables solution processing for membrane fabrication while the fluorinated backbone maintains mechanical strength and flexibility, resolving the contradiction between manufacturability and mechanical stability.
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 phosphonized fluor-elastomers exhibit enhanced mechanical and chemical stability, excellent proton conductivity at high temperatures, and solubility in organic solvents, making them suitable for electromembrane applications.
Implementation Method 1
The most frequently described phosphonated systems are based on aryl polymers synthesized by nucleophilic substitution (Michaelis-Arbusow and Michaelis-Becker rearrangement) of aryl halides and di- or trialkyl phosphite
Implementation Method 2
They also exhibit good proton conductivity, even in the non-humidified state at temperatures above 100°C
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a novel class of substances of highly and low phosphonated aliphatic fluoropolymer rubbers (pFKM) and perfluoropolymer rubbers (pFFKM) on the basis of FKM and FFKM and to their process of preparation and uses.