Phosphate anion-quaternary ammonium ion pair coordinated polymer membranes
US12027731B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Ion exchange membranes materials according to the present disclosure exhibit improved conductivity at low and intermediate relative humidity without sacrificing mechanical strength. Polymers are provided that include a backbone with one or more aryl groups, a halocarbyl group, and a halocarbyl side chain attached to the backbone, wherein the halocarbyl side chain includes a halide separated from the backbone by a hydrocarbyl chain, a hydrocarbyl ring, or combinations thereof. The halide is substituted with a tertiary amine and halide anions are then exchanged with hydroxide anions. The polymers are then contacted with phosphoric acid, which is deprotonated by the hydroxide ions, forming anions which enhance interactions with adjacent quaternary ammonium groups and induce excess phosphoric acid molecules to cluster around those quaternary ammonium groups. The membranes exhibit negligible dopant leaching even at high relative humidity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.