Polyphenylene Fiber Mechanical Strength via Composite Force Spinning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current polymer fibers lack enhanced mechanical properties, particularly in applications requiring high strength and durability, such as filtration and medical implants, where failures can occur due to insufficient mechanical performance.

Innovation Solution

Development of polyphenylene fibers with specific polymer compositions, including at least 25 mole percent of certain repeat units and optional poly(aryl ether sulfone) polymers, fabricated using force spinning techniques to achieve improved mechanical properties like scaled elastic modulus and bulk modulus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional polymer fibers are used, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is lower, but mechanical properties (strength, durability) are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidpolymer composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polyphenylene polymer with poly(aryl ether sulfone) polymer to create fibers with enhanced mechanical properties. The specific composition (at least 25 mole percent polyphenylene repeat units and at least 10 mol percent poly(aryl ether sulfone) repeat units) creates a composite structure that achieves both high strength and durability while maintaining manufacturability through force spinning technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If polyphenylene polymer with specific composition is used, then mechanical properties are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescaled elastic modulusVSAvoidfabrication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molecular composition parameters of the polymer (at least 25 mole percent polyphenylene repeat units and at least 10 mol percent poly(aryl ether sulfone) repeat units). These compositional parameters enable the material to achieve enhanced mechanical properties including scaled elastic moduli from 0.5 GPa to 40 GPa, while force spinning technology maintains ease of manufacture by processing the polymer solution into fibers with average diameters from 100 nm to 10 microns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If higher mechanical strength is achieved, then fiber durability improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber durabilityVSAvoidcomposition control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific compositional thresholds (at least 25 mole percent polyphenylene repeat units and at least 10 mol percent poly(aryl ether sulfone) repeat units) that guarantee enhanced fiber durability and reliability. These defined parameters provide clear manufacturing targets that balance the need for high mechanical strength with achievable precision in composition control during production.

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 resulting polyphenylene fibers exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, including scaled elastic moduli ranging from 0.5 GPa to 40 GPa and average diameters from 100 nm to 10 microns, suitable for applications in filtration, textiles, and medical devices, demonstrating improved strength and durability.

Implementation Method 1

The method for forming the polyphenylene fiber includes force spinning a polymer solution comprising a polyphenylene polymer and solvent to form the polyphenylene fiber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce spinning: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3237656B1Polyphenylene fibers and corresponding fabrication methods
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA LLC
  • EP3237656B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~2(b)
  • EP3237656B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4(b)
  • EP3237656B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Described herein are polyphenylene fibers. The polyphenylene fibers have one or more polyphenylene polymers. The polyphenylene fibers can further include one or more poly(aryl ether sulfone) polymers. In some embodiments, the polyphenylene fibers can have an average diameter that is less than about 1 micron. The polyphenylene fibers can have desirable mechanical properties. Also described herein are methods for forming polyphenylene fibers. In some embodiments, the fibers can be fabricated using specifically engineered polymer solutions in conjunctions with adapted force spinning techniques.