Soluble Conjugated Polymer via PAN Cyclization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conjugated polymers formed by directly heating polyacrylonitrile (PAN) are insoluble, limiting their application due to their black powder form and inability to dissolve in most solvents.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a polar organic solvent and a catalyst to dissolve PAN, induce cyclization, and form a soluble conjugated polymer, which can then be further processed to create sulfurized polyacrylonitrile with enhanced conductivity and cyclization degree, allowing for better processing and application in lithium-ion batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyacrylonitrile is directly heated to form conjugated polymer, then conductivity and charge storage property are improved, but solubility deteriorates resulting in black powder form

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconductivityVSAvoidsolubility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by dissolving PAN in polar organic solvent and adding catalyst before heating, which enables the conjugated polymer to form in solution state rather than as insoluble powder. This preliminary preparation step (dissolution and catalyst addition) allows subsequent cyclization to produce soluble conjugated polymer that can be processed into films.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses polar organic solvent and catalyst as intermediaries to facilitate the transformation. The solvent acts as a medium to dissolve PAN and maintain polymer in solution during cyclization, while the catalyst promotes ring-opening and cyclization reactions. These intermediaries enable the formation of soluble conjugated polymer with good processability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conjugated polymer is formed in black powder form, then semiconductivity is achieved, but application scope is limited due to insolubility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesemiconductivityVSAvoidapplication scope

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the conjugated polymer from insoluble powder to soluble solution by using polar organic solvent system. This parameter change (solubility) enables the polymer to be processed into films and applied in various forms, significantly expanding application scope while maintaining semiconductivity and charge storage properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If PAN is pyrolyzed directly by heating, then charge/discharge efficiency is improved, but processing difficulty increases due to powder form

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge/discharge efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical processing of powder (pyrolysis in powder form) with a chemical solution-based approach. By conducting cyclization in polar organic solvent, the conjugated polymer forms in solution state, eliminating the need for complex powder handling and enabling straightforward film formation through solution casting, thus greatly easing manufacturing while maintaining charge/discharge efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method produces a soluble conjugated polymer that can be easily processed into films, increasing its application scope and demonstrating good electrical and ionic conductivity, suitable for use as a cathode active material in lithium-ion batteries.

Implementation Method 1

heating the catalyst dispersed PAN solution to induce a cyclizing reaction of the PAN, thereby forming a first conjugated polymer solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclization reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

dissolving the PAN in the first solvent to form a PAN solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

the conjugated polymer can be pyrolyzed directly by heating to form a conjugated polymer having high conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS8273829B2Method for making conjugated polymer

Publication Date: 2012.09.25 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for making a conjugated polymer. In the method, polyacrylonitrile, a solvent, and a catalyst are provided. The polyacrylonitrile is dissolved in the solvent to form a polyacrylonitrile solution. The catalyst is uniformly dispersed into the polyacrylonitrile solution. The polyacrylonitrile solution with the catalyst is heated to induce a cyclizing reaction of the polyacrylonitrile, thereby forming a conjugated polymer solution with conjugated polymer.