Silica-Ceramic Anion Exchange Membranes With Low Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anion exchange membranes face challenges such as dimensional swelling, which can lead to membrane failure, and the need for improved performance characteristics like anion exchange capacity and chloride ion conductivity.
Innovation Solution
The development of anion exchange membranes incorporating a silica-based ceramic with quaternary ammonium groups covalently bound, which forms a coating on a porous support membrane, enhancing the membrane's performance by reducing swelling and increasing ion conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing anion exchange membranes are used, then anion exchange capacity and chloride ion conductivity can be achieved, but dimensional swelling occurs leading to membrane failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a porous support membrane coated with a silica-based ceramic layer containing quaternary ammonium groups. This composite design combines the mechanical strength of the porous support with the dimensional stability and ion exchange functionality of the ceramic coating, preventing membrane failure while maintaining anion exchange capacity and chloride ion conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the membrane by incorporating a silica-based ceramic coating with specific pore diameters (less than or equal to 10 nm) and controlled quaternary ammonium group concentrations. These parameter changes reduce dimensional swelling while preserving ion transport properties, resolving the contradiction between stability and functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If silica-based ceramic coating is applied to reduce dimensional swelling, then membrane stability improves, but anion exchange capacity and chloride ion conductivity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a porous silica-based ceramic coating with controlled pore diameters (≤10 nm) that allows ion transport while providing dimensional stability. The porous structure maintains chloride ion conductivity and anion exchange capacity by facilitating ion movement through the ceramic layer, preventing the coating from blocking ion transport pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the silica-based ceramic coating selectively on the porous support membrane surface, creating a functional gradient where the coating provides dimensional stability and ion exchange functionality at the interface, while the porous support maintains mechanical strength. This localized application ensures ion conductivity is preserved where needed.
3Quantity of substance
If quaternary ammonium groups are covalently bound to silica-based ceramic, then anion exchange capacity increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates quaternary ammonium groups into the silica-based ceramic coating during the coating formation process itself, rather than requiring subsequent modification steps. This preliminary incorporation of functional groups simplifies manufacturing by combining material deposition and functionalization into a single process, while achieving high anion exchange capacity.
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 silica-based ceramic coating reduces dimensional swelling and enhances the anion exchange membrane's performance by increasing anion exchange capacity, chloride ion conductivity, and permselectivity while maintaining mechanical strength.
Implementation Method 1
Anion exchange membranes and materials are used in a variety of industrial applications where the selective transport of negatively charged ions is desired
Implementation Method 2
The anion exchange membrane has a chloride ion conductivity of greater than or equal to 0.00001 S/cm
Data Source
AI summary
Anion exchange membranes and materials including silica-based ceramics, and associated methods, are provided. In some aspects, anion exchange membranes that include a silica-based ceramic that forms a coating on and/or within a porous support membrane are described. The anion exchange membranes and materials may have certain structural or chemical attributes (e.g., pore size/distribution, chemical functionalization) that, alone or in combination, can result in advantageous performance characteristics in any of a variety of applications for which selective transport of positively charged ions through membranes/materials is desired. In some embodiments, the silica-based ceramic contains relatively small pores (e.g., substantially spherical nanopores) that may contribute to some such advantageous properties. In some embodiments, the anion exchange membrane or material includes quaternary ammonium groups covalently bound to the silica-based ceramic.