Polyimide Porous Web Electrolyte Membrane for Fuel Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrolyte membranes for fuel cells, such as those using Nafion resin, face issues with mechanical strength, ion conductivity, and economic efficiency, while hydrocarbon-based membranes suffer from low ion conductivity and durability under high temperature and humidity conditions.

Innovation Solution

A polyimide porous web with uniform pore size and high porosity is used as the electrolyte membrane, allowing for easy adjustment of pore size and resistance to organic solvents, ensuring good ion conductivity and dimensional stability through uniform ion conductor impregnation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Nafion resin is used as the electrolyte membrane, then ion conductivity is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion conductivityVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining polyimide porous web (providing mechanical strength) with ion conductor resin (providing ion conductivity). The porous web serves as a reinforcing agent while the ion conductor resin fills the pores to enable ion transport, achieving both mechanical strength and ion conductivity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the thickness of Nafion resin is increased to improve mechanical strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but resistance loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidresistance loss

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a porous web structure that provides mechanical strength through its three-dimensional network while maintaining high porosity (30-80%) to allow efficient ion transport. This porous structure achieves mechanical reinforcement without increasing thickness, thereby avoiding increased resistance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Strength

If porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is used as reinforcing agent, then mechanical strength is improved, but ion conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidion conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a porous web with optimized porosity (30-80%) and pore size (0.01-10 μm) that balances mechanical strength and ion conductivity. The controlled pore structure allows sufficient ion transport pathways while maintaining structural integrity, unlike overly dense structures that block ion conduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite where the porous web provides mechanical framework and the ion conductor resin provides conduction pathways. This composite approach ensures both mechanical strength from the web structure and ion conductivity from the resin impregnation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of manufacture

If hydrocarbon-based resin is used as reinforcing agent, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but heat resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidheat resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention selects polyimide as the reinforcing agent material, which has inherent high heat resistance properties. The polyimide porous web maintains structural stability at high temperatures while providing the necessary mechanical reinforcement, solving the heat resistance issue of hydrocarbon-based alternatives.

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

The polyimide porous web-based electrolyte membrane achieves improved ion conductivity, dimensional stability, and heat resistance, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of fuel cells under varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The electrolyte membrane used for the proton exchange membrane fuel cell serves as a path for transporting hydrogen ions generated in the anode to the cathode, whereby the electrolyte membrane should have basically good conductivity of the hydrogen ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the electrolyte membrane should be capable of facilitating to separate the hydrogen gas supplied to the anode and oxygen supplied to the cathode from each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier separation: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP2576880B1Electrolyte membrane comprising a polyimide porous web

Publication Date: 2016.04.27 KOLON FASHION MATERIAL

Figure 1~2

AI summary

Disclosed is a polyimide porous web with good porosity, good dimensional stability, and uniform pore; a method for manufacturing the same; and an electrolyte membrane with improved ion conductivity and good dimensional stability owing to ion conductors uniformly impregnated in the porous web, the polyimide porous web having a porosity of 60% to 90%, wherein not less than 80% of entire pores of the porous web have a pore diameter which differs from an average pore diameter of the porous web by not more than 1.5?.