Photocurable Resin Composition for Fuel Cell Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photocurable resin compositions for fuel cells are insufficient in photocurability and adhesiveness to polyolefin materials like polypropylene, which are difficult to bond, requiring longer curing times and risking electrolyte membrane deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A photocurable resin composition containing a polymer with a polyisobutylene backbone and (meth)acryloyl groups, combined with a hydrogen abstraction type photo-radical initiator, such as benzophenone-based initiators, to achieve quick curing and enhanced adhesion to polyolefin surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermosetting resin composition is used for sealing, then gas barrier properties and heat resistance are improved, but process time increases and electrolyte membrane deteriorates due to heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal curing (heat-based chemical reaction) with photocuring (light-based chemical reaction). The sealing composition uses a photopolymerization initiator that activates upon UV light irradiation, enabling the sealing material to cure without thermal heating. This substitution eliminates the need for prolonged heating processes while maintaining the gas barrier properties and heat resistance of the cured sealing material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curing activation parameter from temperature (thermal energy) to light wavelength (photonic energy). By incorporating photopolymerization initiators sensitive to UV light ranges, the sealing composition transitions from thermally-activated curing to photo-activated curing. This parameter change enables rapid curing (reducing process time) while preventing thermal deterioration of the electrolyte membrane.
2Loss of time
If photocurable resin composition is used for sealing, then process time is reduced, but adhesion to polyolefin deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite sealing composition that combines photopolymerizable components (for rapid curing) with polyisobutylene-based components (for adhesion to polyolefin). The polyisobutylene backbone provides compatibility with polyolefin surfaces through similar chemical structure, while the grafted (meth)acryloyl groups enable photocurability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating both rapid curing capability and strong adhesion to polyolefin materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific functional groups at localized positions within the sealing composition molecules. The polyisobutylene backbone provides the bulk material properties and adhesion, while grafted (meth)acryloyl groups at specific locations provide photocurability. Additionally, the composition may include adhesion promoters or surface-active components that locally enhance bonding to polyolefin surfaces, ensuring strong adhesion even with rapid photocuring.
3Reliability
If polyisobutylene diacrylate is used as main ingredient, then sealability is improved, but photocurability and adhesion to polyolefin deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of polyisobutylene by grafting (meth)acryloyl groups onto the backbone. This structural modification changes the photoreactivity parameter, enabling the polyisobutylene derivative to undergo rapid photopolymerization. The resulting composition maintains the sealability provided by polyisobutylene while gaining improved photocurability, directly addressing the contradiction between sealability and curing speed.
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 composition enables rapid curing with active energy rays and excellent adhesion to polyolefin surfaces, reducing process time and preventing electrolyte membrane deterioration, while maintaining low moisture permeability and gas barrier properties.
Implementation Method 1
a photocurable resin composition containing a polymer having a polyisobutylene backbone and one or more (meth)acryloyl groups per molecule and a photo-radical initiator of hydrogen abstraction type, and a cured product obtained by photocuring the photocurable resin composition
Implementation Method 2
a photo-radical initiator of hydrogen abstraction type
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problem and has an object to provide a photocurable resin composition which can be quickly cured by irradiation with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays and achieves excellent adhesion to polyolefin such as PP having properties difficult to bond. Specifically, provided is a photocurable resin composition containing the following (A) and (B) ingredients: (A) ingredient: a polymer having a polyisobutylene backbone mainly containing a —[CH2C(CH3)2]— unit, the polymer having one or more (meth)acryloyl groups per molecule; and (B) ingredient: a photo-radical initiator of hydrogen abstraction type.