Solid Monomer Polymerization for Battery Electrode Materials
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing organic polymers for secondary batteries result in polymers that are difficult to work up, often requiring an additional comminution step due to the formation of coagulates, which is inefficient and costly, especially at industrial scales.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the polymerization of solid particles of a specific compound in an aqueous phase below the melting temperature of the compound, resulting in finely divided polymer particles that can be easily separated and processed, eliminating the need for a comminution step.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If emulsion polymerization is used to produce organic polymers for secondary batteries, then the polymers can be produced in aqueous phase, but the polymers are obtained in the form of coagulate which are difficult to work up and require additional comminution step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the monomer from liquid to solid form, and controls the polymerization temperature to be below the melting point of the solid monomer. This parameter change transforms the polymerization process from producing coagulates to producing freely flowing granular particles that are easy to work up, eliminating the need for comminution steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by maintaining the polymerization temperature below the melting point of the solid monomer. The solid monomer particles undergo polymerization while maintaining their solid state, and the resulting polymer retains a granular structure that is easily processed. This controlled phase transition approach prevents coagulate formation.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional comminution step is added to process the coagulate polymers, then the polymers can be processed into finely divided form, but the production process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by controlling the polymerization process to directly produce finely divided granular particles in the desired size range (0.1-1000 μm) without requiring subsequent comminution. The solid monomer particles serve as templates that determine the final particle size and morphology, eliminating the need for additional size reduction steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the comminution step from the overall production process by directly producing polymer particles of the desired size and morphology through controlled polymerization of solid monomers. This removes the unnecessary intermediate step of size reduction, simplifying the process and improving productivity.
3Productivity
If polymerization is conducted at higher temperature to increase reaction rate, then the production speed increases, but the polymers form coagulates that are difficult to work up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to be below the melting point of the solid monomer, which maintains the monomer in solid particle form during polymerization. This temperature control prevents coagulate formation while still achieving acceptable polymerization rates, and the exothermic nature of the reaction provides additional heating if needed.
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 process produces polymers that are easier to work up and can be processed more efficiently, reducing costs and simplifying industrial-scale production by avoiding the need for additional processing steps.
Implementation Method 1
a process for polymerizing a compound of the structural formula (I)
Implementation Method 2
solid particles of the compound of the structural formula (I) in an aqueous phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for polymerization, wherein the monomers are used in the form of solid particles in an aqueous phase. The polymers obtained thereby can be oxidized further to polymers which can be used as electrical charge storage means, especially secondary batteries.