U.S. patent application number 12/796687 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for reinforced highly microporous polymers.
This patent application is currently assigned to POROUS POWER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Kirby W. Beard.
Application Number | 20100247894 12/796687 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35510315 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100247894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beard; Kirby W. |
September 30, 2010 |
Reinforced Highly Microporous Polymers
Abstract
The present invention provides microporous polymers and methods
for producing and using the same. In particular, microporous
polymers of the present invention are highly porous as indicated by
a Gurley air permeability flow rate of about 4 seconds or less per
mL of air flow per 25 micron of microporous polymer thickness per
square inch.
Inventors: |
Beard; Kirby W.;
(Norristown, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Krajec Patent Offices, LLC / PPT Correspondence
1635 Foxtrail Drive, Suite 321
Loveland
CO
80538
US
|
Assignee: |
POROUS POWER TECHNOLOGIES,
LLC
Lafayette
CO
|
Family ID: |
35510315 |
Appl. No.: |
12/796687 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11040277 |
Jan 20, 2005 |
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12796687 |
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60537005 |
Jan 20, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/315.7 ;
264/45.1; 427/246; 442/63; 521/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2323/08 20130101;
B01D 71/34 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; B01D 39/1692 20130101;
Y10T 442/2033 20150401; Y10T 428/249979 20150401; B01D 69/02
20130101; C08J 5/18 20130101; Y10T 428/249921 20150401; B01D
2325/26 20130101; C08J 2327/16 20130101; B01D 2325/20 20130101;
B01D 67/0009 20130101; B01D 71/30 20130101; H01M 50/411 20210101;
H01M 50/463 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/315.7 ;
264/45.1; 427/246; 442/63; 521/145 |
International
Class: |
C08J 9/28 20060101
C08J009/28; B32B 27/24 20060101 B32B027/24; B32B 3/26 20060101
B32B003/26; B29D 7/01 20060101 B29D007/01; C08F 214/22 20060101
C08F214/22 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention
and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner
to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms
of Grant No. NOOI164-04-C-6064 awarded by U.S. Navy.
Claims
1. A gelled polymer comprising: a gelled polymer matrix having a
generally planar surface and a solvent surface tension wherein an
average pore size is about 10 .mu.m or less, the gelled polymer
including: a semi crystalline polymer having a surface free energy;
and a solvent in non-wetting relationship to the semicrystalline
polymer having at least 70% of a total liquid content of a
saturated solution of the polymer, the solvent comprising: a high
surface tension liquid, having a surface tension equal to or in
excess of the polymer surface free energy mixed with a low surface
tension liquid being miscible in the high surface tension liquid,
the high and low surface tension liquids being selected such that
the polymer material has a higher solubility in the low surface
tension liquid than in the high surface tension liquid; the polymer
being maintained at a temperature less than or equal to a forming
temperature, the forming temperature being the lower of a boiling
temperature of the approximately saturated solution or a melt
temperature of the polymer; and a generally planar substrate having
a substrate surface free energy at least equal to the solvent
surface tension, the generally planar substrate supporting the
gelled polymer matrix at the generally planar surface; and a fiber
material.
2. The gelled polymer of claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises
carbon and at least one of a group selected from hydrogen, halogen,
oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and a combination thereof.
3. The gelled polymer of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises
polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polylvinylidene
fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer and a mixture thereof, such
that: a high surface tension liquid having a liquid surface tension
in excess of the polymer surface free energy; and a low surface
tension liquid that is miscible in the high surface tension liquid,
the low surface tension liquid: having a low surface tension that
is lower than the solvent surface tension, and being selected such
that the polymer material has a higher solubility in the low
surface tension liquid than in the high surface tension liquid.
4. The gelled polymer of claim 1, the fiber material comprising
single fibers.
5. The gelled polymer of claim 1, the fiber material comprising
stranded rovings.
6. The gelled polymer of claim 1, the fiber material comprising
woven cloth.
7. The gelled polymer of claim 1, the fiber material comprising
non-woven mats.
8. A method of producing a microporous polymer comprising: forming
an approximately saturated solution from a polymer by adding a high
surface tension liquid, having a surface tension equal to or in
excess of the polymer surface free energy, to the polymer
previously dissolved in a low surface tension liquid, the low
surface tension liquid being miscible in the high surface tension
liquid to form a solvent, the high and low surface tension liquids
being selected such that the polymer material has a higher
solubility in the low surface tension liquid than in the high
surface tension liquid; the forming being conducted at a
temperature less than or equal to a forming temperature, the
forming temperature being the lower of a boiling temperature of the
approximately saturated solution or a melt temperature of the
polymer, wherein the approximately saturated solution comprises a
solvent and a polymer material that is dissolved in the solvent,
placing the polymer solution in a layer at the forming temperature;
adding a fiber material to the polymer solution; urging the solvent
into a non-wetting relation to the polymer by increasing the
surface tension of the solvent to form a gelled polymer such that
the surface tension exceeds the surface free energy of the polymer
material, causing the solvent to tend to bead within the gelled
polymer; and evaporating, at a temperature not to exceed the
forming temperature, the solvent from the gelled polymer to form a
film defining a plurality of pores, such that sufficient solvent is
removed from the gelled polymer to form the film defining the
plurality of pores at a temperature near or below the forming
temperature, the remaining solvent is removed at temperatures not
to exceed the melt temperature of the polymer.
9. The method of claim 8, the fiber material comprising single
fibers.
10. The method of claim 8, the fiber material comprising stranded
rovings.
11. The method of claim 8, the fiber material comprising woven
cloth.
12. The method of claim 8, the fiber material comprising non-woven
mats.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the solubility of the polymer
material in the solution is about 25% v/v or less relative to the
total volume of the solvent in the solution.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the ratio of the low surface
tension liquid relative to the high surface tension liquid is about
99:1 v/v or less.
15. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of pores encompass
a void volume having a void volume ratio between the void volume
and the combined volume total of the polymer material and the
solvent; and the void volume ratio is substantially similar to a
relative volumetric ratio between the low surface tension liquid
and a combined volume total of the polymer material and the
solvent.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein the low surface tension liquid
is one of a group of a ketone, ester, ether, aldehyde, amine,
amide, nitrile, cyanate, nitrite, nitrate, nitro- or
nitroso-compound, thiol, sulfide, sulfonium, sulfate, sulfonyl
compound, sulfinyl compound, thio-compounds, and a mixture of two
or more thereof.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the ketone is selected from a
group consisting of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, pentanone,
hexanone, cyclic ketone, and a mixture of two or more thereof.
18. The method of claim 8, wherein the high surface tension liquid
is selected from a group consisting of: acetamide, acetophenone,
adiponitrile, aniline, benzaldehyde, benzyl benzoate, benzonitrile,
benzophenone, bromine, bromobenzene, tribromomethane, bromophenol,
carbon disulfide, chloroacetic acid, chlorobenzene, chlorophenol,
diethylaniline, diethylene glycol, dimethylaniline, dimethyl phenyl
pyrazolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, diphenylamine, ethylaniline,
ethylene bromide, ethylene glycol, formamide, formic acid,
furfural, y-butyrolactone, glycerin, glycerol, methylaniline,
methyl benzoate, methylene iodide, nitric acid, nitrobenzene,
nitromethane, phenol, phosphorous tribromide, phosphorous
tri-iodide, propylene glycol, pyridine, pyridazine, quinoline,
sulfuric acid, tetrabromomethane, toluene, xylene, water, and a
mixture of two or more thereof.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the high surface tension liquid
is water.
20. The method of claim 8, wherein the thickness of the layer is
about 500 .mu.m or less.
21. The method of claim 8, wherein the urging the solvent into a
non-wetting relation to the polymer includes cooling the gelled
polymer sufficiently to increase the surface tension of the solvent
to be greater than the free surface energy of the polymer.
22. The method of claim 8, wherein the surface tension of the
solvent is at least about 35 dynes/cm at 25.degree. C.
23. The method of claim 8, wherein the gelled polymer is formed at
a temperature of about 40.degree. C. or less.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the solvent is removed from the
gelled polymer at a temperature of about 30.degree. C. or less.
25. The method of claim 8, wherein the gelled polymer is formed at
a temperature of about 5.degree. C. or less relative to forming
temperature of the approximately saturated solution.
26. The method of claim 8, wherein the liquid is removed at a
temperature of about 5.degree. C. or less relative to the forming
temperature of the approximately saturated solution.
27. The method of claim 8, wherein the solubility of the polymer
material in the liquid is about 10% v/v or less.
28. The method of claim 8 further comprising admixing the solvent
and the polymer material to form the approximately saturated
solution, wherein the approximately saturated solution is formed by
heating the mixture, subjecting the mixture to high shear mixing,
or a combination thereof.
29. A method of forming a polymer film defining a plurality of
micropores, the method comprising: forming a gelled polymer,
wherein the polymer comprises at least about 80% polyvinylidene
fluoride, at a forming temperature, by precipitating semicrystaline
polymer from a saturated solution of polymer and a solvent wherein
the solvent includes: a high surface tension liquid having a
surface tension not less than the surface free energy of the
polymer; and a low surface tension liquid that is miscible in the
high surface tension liquid, the low surface tension liquid having
a surface tension that is lower than the surface tension of the
solvent, and being selected such that: the polymer material has a
higher solubility in the low surface tension liquid than in the
high surface tension liquid; and the low surface tension liquid has
a higher vapor pressure than the higher surface tension liquid;
placing the gelled polymer in a layer on a substrate; adding fiber
material; urging the solvent into non-wetting relation to the
polymer by increasing the surface tension of solvent in the gelled
polymer such that the surface tension exceeds the surface free
energy of the polymer material, thereby causing the solvent to tend
to bead within the gelled polymer.
30. The method of claim 29, the fiber material comprising single
fibers.
31. The method of claim 29, the fiber material comprising stranded
rovings.
32. The method of claim 29, the fiber material comprising woven
cloth.
33. The method of claim 29, the fiber material comprising non-woven
mats.
34. The method of claim 29, wherein urging the solvent into a
non-wetting relationship to the polymer includes cooling the gelled
polymer below a gelled polymer melting point.
35. The method of claim 29, further comprising: removing a portion
of the solvent from the gelled polymer at a temperature not to
exceed the forming temperature thereby forming a polymer film
defining at least one pore.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: upon formation of a
polymer film defining at least one pore, removing solvent from the
gelled polymer at a temperature not to exceed the melt temperature
of the polymer.
37. A gelled polymer comprising: a gelled polymer matrix having a
generally planar surface and a solvent surface tension, the gelled
polymer including a semicrystalline polymer comprising a halogen,
having a surface free energy; and a solvent in non-wetting
relationship to the semicrystalline polymer having at least 70% of
a total liquid content of a saturated solution of the polymer, the
solvent comprising: a high surface tension liquid, having a surface
tension equal to or in excess of the polymer surface free energy
mixed with a low surface tension liquid being miscible in the high
surface tension liquid, the high and low surface tension liquids
being selected such that the polymer material has a higher
solubility in the low surface tension liquid than in the high
surface tension liquid; and the polymer being maintained at a
temperature less than or equal to a forming temperature, the
forming temperature being the lower of a boiling temperature of the
approximately saturated solution or a melt temperature of the
polymer; fiber material; and a generally planar substrate having a
substrate surface free energy at least equal to the solvent surface
tension, the generally planar substrate supporting the gelled
polymer matrix at the generally planar surface.
38. The gelled polymer of claim 37, the fiber material comprising
single fibers.
39. The gelled polymer of claim 37, the fiber material comprising
stranded rovings.
40. The gelled polymer of claim 37, the fiber material comprising
woven cloth.
41. The gelled polymer of claim 37, the fiber material comprising
non-woven mats.
42. The gelled polymer of claim 37, wherein the halogen is selected
from a group consisting of chloride, fluoride, and a mixture
thereof.
43. A method of producing a microporous polymer comprising:
forming, at a temperature less than or equal to a forming
temperature, the forming temperature being the lower of a boiling
temperature of an approximately saturated solution or a melt
temperature of the polymer, wherein the approximately saturated
solution comprises a solvent and a polymer material that is
dissolved in the solvent, an approximately saturated solution from
a polymer by adding a high surface tension liquid, having a surface
tension equal to or in excess of the polymer surface free energy,
to the polymer previously dissolved in a low surface tension
liquid, the low surface tension liquid being miscible in the high
surface tension liquid to form a solvent, the high and low surface
tension liquids being selected such that the polymer material has a
higher solubility in the low surface tension liquid than in the
high surface tension liquid; adding a fiber material; urging the
solvent into non-wetting relationship with the polymer includes
evaporating the low surface tension liquid; urging the solvent into
a non-wetting relation to the polymer by increasing the surface
tension of the solvent to form a gelled polymer such that the
surface tension exceeds the surface free energy of the polymer
material, causing the solvent to tend to bead within the gelled
polymer; and evaporating, at a temperature not to exceed the
forming temperature, the solvent from the gelled polymer to form a
film defining a plurality of pores.
44. A method of forming a polymer film defining a plurality of
micropores, the method comprising: forming a gelled polymer,
wherein the polymer comprises at least about 80% polyvinylidene
fluoride, at a forming temperature, by precipitating semicrystaline
polymer from a saturated solution of polymer and a solvent; placing
the gelled polymer in a layer on a substrate; adding a fiber
material; urging the solvent into non-wetting relation to the
polymer by increasing the surface tension of solvent in the gelled
polymer such that the surface tension exceeds the surface free
energy of the polymer material, causing the solvent to tend to bead
within the gelled polymer precipitating the polymer by mechanical
removal of the solvent from the gelled polymer.
45. A method of producing a microporous polymer comprising: forming
an approximately saturated solution from a polymer by adding a high
surface tension liquid, having a surface tension equal to or in
excess of the polymer surface free energy, to the polymer
previously dissolved in a low surface tension liquid, the low
surface tension liquid being miscible in the high surface tension
liquid to form a solvent, the high and low surface tension liquids
being selected such that the polymer material has a higher
solubility in the low surface tension liquid than in the high
surface tension liquid; the forming being conducted at a
temperature less than or equal to a forming temperature, the
forming temperature being the lower of a boiling temperature of the
approximately saturated solution or a melt temperature of the
polymer, wherein the approximately saturated solution comprises a
solvent and a polymer material that is dissolved in the solvent,
the low surface tension liquid being selected to have a higher
vapor pressure than the high surface tension liquid, thereby
allowing the low surface tension liquid to evaporate at a faster
rate than the high surface tension liquid from the gelled polymer;
adding a fiber material; placing the polymer solution in a layer at
the forming temperature; urging the solvent into a non-wetting
relation to the polymer by increasing the surface tension of the
solvent to form a gelled polymer such that the surface tension
exceeds the surface free energy of the polymer material, causing
the solvent to tend to bead within the gelled polymer, the urging
including evaporating the low surface tension liquid; and
evaporating, at a temperature not to exceed the forming
temperature, the solvent from the gelled polymer to form a film
defining a plurality of pores.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/537,005, filed Jan. 20,2004, and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/040,277, filed Jan. 20, 2005,
both of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a microporous polymer, and
methods for producing and using the same.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Microporous polymers are polymers having pore sizes
typically ranging from less than 1 micrometer (.mu.m) to a few
micrometers in diameter. Microporous polymers are useful in a
variety of applications. For example, microporous polymers are
often used in electronic devices (such as battery separators,
capacitor separators, electrode binder materials, sensors, etc.),
and as filtration materials (for example in separating gases, ions,
and/or liquids), fabrics, mats, cloth, fibers (including hollow
fibers), structural foams, and other applications that are well
known to one skilled in the art.
[0005] Unfortunately the porosity, i.e., the amount of voids or
interstitial space, of most conventional microporous polymers is
limited, thereby reducing their usefulness. For example, batteries
are used as an electricity source in a wide variety of
applications. Batteries have an anode and a cathode that is
separated by a separator (i.e., battery separator). The principal
function of the battery separator is to prevent electrical
conduction (i.e., "shorts") between the anode and the cathode while
permitting ionic conduction via the electrolyte. The pores of the
separator are filled with an ionically conductive electrolyte and
allow migration of electrolyte from one electrode to another. Since
the pores of battery separators are conduits of power, batteries
having high porosity separator(s) provide a higher battery power
and/or a longer battery life. In some cases, battery separators
also need to provide good mechanical properties, e.g., in dry
batteries, for winding and low electrical resistivity for device
performance.
[0006] Therefore, there is a continuing effort to produce
microporous polymers having a higher porosity and ionic
conductivity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for measuring the porosity
of a sample.
SUMMARY
[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a microporous
polymer comprising:
[0009] (a) a first surface;
[0010] (b) a bulk matrix;
[0011] (c) a second surface; and
[0012] (d) a plurality of micropores extending from the first
surface through the bulk matrix and to the second surface thereby
providing a fluid communication between the first and second
surfaces,
[0013] wherein the microporous polymer has a Gurley air
permeability flow rate of about 4 seconds or less per mL of air
flow per 25 microns of microporous polymer thickness per 25 square
inch of surface area.
[0014] Microporous polymers of the present invention are organic
polymers. Accordingly, the composition of microporous polymers of
the present invention comprises carbon and a group selected from
hydrogen, halogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and a combination
thereof. In one embodiment, the composition of the microporous
polymer comprises halogen. Preferably, the halogen is selected from
the group consisting of chloride, fluoride, and a mixture
thereof.
[0015] In certain embodiments, the polymer of the present invention
is selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylidene fluoride,
polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl
methacrylate, polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene
copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-styrene
copolymer, styrenebutadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer,
polydiene, polyalkane, polyacrylic, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl
alcohol, polyacetal, polyvinyl ketone, polyvinyl halide, polyvinyl
nitril, polyvinyl ester, polystyrene, polyphenylene. polyoxide,
polycarbonate. polyester, polyanhydride, polyurethane,
polysulfonate, polysulfide, polysulfone, polyamide, and a mixture
of two or more thereof.
[0016] In one particular embodiment, the polymer comprises
polyvinylidene fluoride, polylvinylidene
fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride or a
mixture thereof
[0017] Yet in another embodiment, the polymer comprises at least
about 80% polyvinylidene fluoride.
[0018] In another embodiment, the polymer is a semi crystalline
polymer.
[0019] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of
producing a microporous polymer comprising:
[0020] forming a layer of a polymer solution on a substrate,
wherein the polymer solution comprises a liquid and a polymer
material that is dissolved in the liquid, and wherein the liquid
comprises a high surface tension liquid;
[0021] producing a film of gelled polymer from the layer of polymer
solution under conditions sufficient to provide a non-wetting, high
surface tension solution within the layer of polymer solution;
and
[0022] removing the liquid from the film of gelled polymer under
conditions sufficient to produce the microporous polymer.
[0023] Preferably, the solubility of the polymer material in the
liquid is about 20% v/v or less. Alternatively, the amount of
polymer material dissolved in the polymer solution is at least near
its saturation limit.
[0024] The polymer solution can be formed by admixing a liquid and
the polymer material and heating the mixture and/or mixing the
mixture using a high shear mixing to facilitate dissolving of the
polymer material.
[0025] In one embodiment, at least the first 50% of the liquid in
the gelled polymer is removed at a temperature near or below the
temperature of said gelled polymer forming step.
[0026] Yet in another embodiment, the solubility of the polymer
material in the solution is about 25% v/v or less relative to the
total volume of the liquid in the solution.
[0027] While the liquid in the polymer solution can comprise
entirely of the high surface tension liquid, in one particular
embodiment, the liquid in the polymer solution further comprises a
low surface tension liquid, preferably which is miscible with the
high surface tension liquid. Preferably, the polymer material has a
higher solubility in the low surface tension liquid than in the
high surface tension liquid. In some embodiments, the low surface
tension liquid has a higher vapor pressure than the higher surface
tension liquid. In this manner, the low surface tension liquid
evaporates at a faster rate than the high surface tension liquid
from the polymer solution.
[0028] Still in another embodiment, the ratio of the low surface
tension liquid relative to the high surface tension liquid is about
99:1 v/v or less.
[0029] Methods of the present invention can be used to produce
microporous polymers where the void volume of the resulting
microporous polymer is substantially similar or higher to the
relative volumetric ratio between the high surface tension liquid
and the combined volume total of the polymer material and the high
surface tension liquid.
[0030] In one particular embodiment, the low surface tension liquid
is a ketone, ester, ether, aldehyde, organic nitrogen compound,
organic sulfur compound, or a mixture of two or more thereof.
Preferably, the ketone is selected from the group consisting of
acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, pentanone, hexanone, cyclic ketone,
and a mixture of two or more thereof.
[0031] Yet in another embodiment, the high surface tension liquid
is selected
[0032] from the group consisting of: acetamide, acetophenone,
adiponitrile, aniline, benzaldehyde, benzyl benzoate, benzonitrile,
benzophenone, bromine, bromobenzene, tribromomethane, bromophenol,
carbon disulfide, chloroacetic acid, chlorobenzene, chlorophenol,
diethylaniline, diethylene glycol, dimethyl aniline, dimethyl
phenyl pyrazolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, diphenylamine, ethyl
aniline, ethylene bromide, ethylene glycol, formamide, formic acid,
furfural, y-butyrolactone, glycerin, glycerol, methyl aniline,
methyl benzoate, methylene iodide, nitric acid, nitrobenzene,
nitromethane, phenol, phosphorous tribromide, phosphorous
tri-iodide, propylene glycol, pyridine, pyridazine, quinoline,
sulfuric acid, tetrabromomethane, toluene, xylene, water, and a
mixture of two or more thereof.
[0033] Preferably, the high surface tension liquid is water.
[0034] Still in another embodiment, the thickness of the polymer
solution layer on the substrate is about 500 J-Im or less.
[0035] Yet in another embodiment, the substrate is a high surface
energy substrate. Preferably, the surface energy of the substrate
is at least about 40 dynes/cm at 25.degree. C.
[0036] In one particular embodiment, the film of gelled polymer is
formed at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. or less.
[0037] In another embodiment, the liquid is removed from the gelled
polymer at a temperature of about 30.degree. C. or less.
[0038] Still in another embodiment, the film of gelled polymer is
formed at a temperature of about 5.degree. C. or less relative to
the temperature at which the polymer is dissolved in the
solution.
[0039] Yet in another embodiment, the microporous polymer is
produced by removing the liquid at a temperature of about 5.degree.
C. or less relative to the temperature at which the polymer is
dissolved in the solution.
[0040] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a
substantially homogeneous solution comprising a dissolved polymer
material and a high surface tension liquid, wherein the solubility
of the polymer in the solution is about 20% v/v of solution or
less. In one particular embodiment, the amount of polymer material
dissolved in the solution is at least near its saturation
limit.
[0041] Yet in another embodiment, the polymer material is selected
from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride,
polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyvinyl
chloride, and a mixture thereof.
[0042] Microporous polymers of the present invention can be used in
a wide variety of application. In one particular aspect of the
present invention, the microporous polymer is prepared as a thin
film such that it can be used as a battery separator. In this
particular embodiment, the microporous polymeric thin film
comprises:
[0043] (a) a first surface adapted for operatively being connected
to an anode;
[0044] (b) a second surface adapted for operatively being connected
to a cathode;
[0045] (c) a bulk matrix between said first and second surfaces;
and
[0046] (d) a plurality of micropores extending from the first
surface through the bulk matric and to the second surface thereby
providing a fluid communication between the anode and the
cathode,
[0047] wherein the microporous polymeric thin film has a Gurley air
permeability flow rate of about 4 seconds or less per mL of air
flow per 25 microns of thickness per square inch of surface
area.
[0048] In one embodiment, the microporous polymeric thin film has a
porosity of at least about 75%. Preferably, the microporous
polymeric thin film has a tensile strength of at least about 400
psi.
[0049] When the microporous polymeric thin film is used as a
battery separator, its thickness typically ranges from about 1
.mu.m to about 10,000 .mu.m.
[0050] Generally, the average pore size of the microporous
polymeric thin film battery separator is from about 0.05 .mu.m to
about 5000 .mu.m, preferably from about 0.1 .mu.m to about 100
.mu.m, and more preferably from about 0.1 .mu.m to about 10
.mu.m.
[0051] Another aspect of the present invention provides a battery
comprising
[0052] (a) an anode;
[0053] (b) a cathode; and
[0054] (c) a microporous polymeric thin film separator positioned
between the anode and the cathode, wherein the microporous
polymeric thin film separator has a thickness in the range of from
about 1 . . . m to about 10000 . . . m, and wherein the microporous
polymeric thin film comprises:
[0055] (i) a first surface;
[0056] (ii) a second surface;
[0057] (iii) a bulk matrix between the first and second surfaces;
and
[0058] (iii) a plurality of micropores extending from the first
surface through the bulk matrix and to the second surface thereby
providing a fluid communication between the anode and the
cathode,
[0059] wherein the microporous polymeric thin film separator has a
Gurley air permeability flow rate of about 4 seconds or less per mL
of air flow per 25 microns of thickness per square inch of surface
area.
[0060] Preferably, the microporous polymeric thin film separator is
selected from
[0061] the group consisting of: polyvinylidene fluoride,
polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl
methacrylate, polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene
copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-styrene
copolymer, styrenebutadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer,
polydiene, polyalkane, polyacrylic, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl
alcohol, polyacetal, polyvinyl ketone, polyvinyl halide, polyvinyl
nitril, polyvinyl ester, polystyrene, polyphenylene, polyoxide,
polycarbonate, polyester, polyanhydride, polyurethane,
polysulfonate, polysulfide, polysulfone, polyamide, and a mixture
of two or more thereof.
[0062] In one particular embodiment, the battery is a NiMH2
battery, a NiH battery, a lithium rechargeable battery, a lithium
primary battery, a lithium polymer battery, a NiCd battery, a
lead-acid battery, an alkaline battery, or an air cathode battery.
Still in another embodiment, the battery is a lithium ion
battery.
[0063] Yet in another embodiment, the microporous polymeric thin
film separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode
surfaces that comprise electrochemically active powders to form a
battery power source using an electrolyte as an ion transport
medium. The electrochemically active powder of the cathode surface
typically comprises a metal oxide component and the anode surface
comprising a carbon-based component or optionally a metal
oxide.
[0064] Preferably, the metal oxide component comprises lithium
cobalt oxide (LiCo02), lithium nickel oxide (LiNi02), lithium
manganese oxide (LiMn204), lithium nickel cobalt oxide
(LiNixCOl-x02), lithium phosphate compounds or a combination
thereof.
[0065] Preferably, the carbon-based component comprises crystalline
or amorphous carbonaceous materials in the form of fiber, powder,
or microbeads including natural or synthetic graphite, carbon
black, coke, mesocarbon microbeads, activated carbon or a
combination thereof.
[0066] In one particular embodiment, at least one of the anode or
the cathode is coated with an integral layer of microporous
polymeric separator.
[0067] Yet in another embodiment, the microporous polymeric
separator is bonded to at least one of the anode or the
cathode.
[0068] Still another aspect of the present invention provides a
filtration membrane comprising a microporous polymeric thin film,
wherein said microporous polymeric thin film comprises:
[0069] (a) a first surface adapted for operatively being contacted
with a first fluid media;
[0070] (b) a second surface adapted for operatively being connected
with a second fluid media;
[0071] (c) a bulk matrix between said first and second surfaces;
and
[0072] (d) a plurality of micropores extending from said first
surface through said bulk matrix and to said second surface thereby
providing a fluid communication between said anode and said
cathode,
[0073] wherein, the microporous polymeric thin film is that
described herein.
[0074] Yet in another aspect, the present invention provides a
fiber material comprising a microporous polymeric filament, wherein
the microporous polymeric filaments comprise continuous or short
staple fibers disposed as single fibers, stranded rovings, woven
cloth and non-woven mats.
[0075] In another aspect of the present invention, a molding,
panel, tube or similar structural element is provided that
comprises a microporous polymeric bulk matrix material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Microporous Polymers
[0076] Conventional methods used to produce microporous polymers
include extraction of plasticizers, mechanical stretching, phase
inversion, leaching of dispersed fine particulates, and other
similar techniques or combinations of techniques. These methods
often require a series of complex steps and employ rather
complicated formulations. However, none of the currently available
methods provide microporous polymers having the desired high
porosity characteristics.
[0077] In some applications, highly microporous polymers should
have a sufficient strength (e.g., compression or tensile) and
temperature resistance to withstand mechanical abuse and other
stresses to meet the handling and service requirements for the
intended application. These various requirements typically result
in the need to make trade-offs between the ability of the polymers,
especially polymer films, to provide separation between component
systems or media while allowing transfer or throughput of other
certain selective constituents of the process stream. For
electrochemical devices the electrodes must be prevented from
making direct contact (shorting), but allow passage of ions, fluids
(such as water or gases) or other molecules. For use as a solid
filter media, microporous polymers must be capable of trapping
solids while allowing flow of fluids (liquids or gases) across the
porous membrane.
[0078] As stated, some of the methods of the present invention
provide highly microporous polymers while maintaining a fine pore
structure. These materials are termed highly microporous polymers
since the average pore size is about 10 .mu.m or less in any given
cross-sectional dimension. Typically, the average pore size of
microporous polymers of the present invention is about 5 .mu.m or
less, preferably about 3 .mu.m or less, and more preferably in the
range of from about 2 .mu.m to about 0.1 .mu.m.
[0079] As the term implies, microporous polymers of the present
invention contain pores, which extend from the first exterior
surface into the bulk matrix and to the second exterior surface.
The microporous polymers thus have pore surfaces, which are
essentially the surfaces that surround and define the pores of the
article. The pore surfaces can sometimes be referred to as the
"interstitial surface" because they surround the interstitial
volume (or voids) of the porous substrate.
[0080] It should be appreciated that formation of pores in polymers
of the present invention is result of the process of producing the
solid material from a solution of dissolved polymer material.
Therefore, pores in polymers of the present invention are different
from other porous materials where the pores are artificially or
mechanically introduced, e.g., from those made by punching a series
of small holes or small slits in close spacing to create a porous
material or by combining or overlaying fine fibers or filaments
that results in pores between unconsolidated, overlapping random
arrays of fibers/filaments.
[0081] Unlike the materials where pores are artificially or
mechanically introduced, pores in polymers of the present invention
comprise tortuous channels that extend from the first surface to
the second surface via the bulk matrix. Accordingly, polymers of
the present invention have a relatively high tortuosity, e.g., the
path length of the tortuous path through the pores exceeds the
thickness of the film (direct path) by a factor of about at least 2
or higher. More often, the tortuosity factor of pores in polymers
of the present invention is at least about 2.5 or higher,
preferably at least about 3 or higher. Tortuosity can be measured
by a variety of techniques, e.g., MacMullin number which results in
a value that is essentially a measure of the path length as a
factor of the porosity of the material.
[0082] Some microporous polymers of the present invention have a
tortuous pore structure with increased path length through the bulk
matrix relative to the bulk matrix dimension. In some cases, the
polymer's pore structure is disposed as a dispersed phase of thin
membrane or filament network forming the pore interstitial surfaces
without agglomerates, nodes of solids or other concentrated polymer
structures within the bulk phase. Still in other instances, the
polymer's pore structure has an average pore diameter size no
greater than 25% of the bulk matrix thickness.
[0083] Typically, microporous polymers of the present invention
have a porosity or void volume of at least about 75%, preferably at
least about 80%, and more preferably at least about 85%. While some
aspects of the present invention relates to highly microporous
polymers, and methods for using and preparing the same, it should
be appreciated that methods and processes of the present invention
are not limited to producing highly microporous polymers. As such,
methods and processes described herein for highly microporous
polymers are only illustrative examples of only one aspect of the
present invention. The porosity of the polymers produced by methods
and processes described herein can vary depending on the variety of
factors discussed herein. Thus, polymers of a wide range of
porosity can be produced by methods and processes of the present
invention depending on a particular need. Accordingly, in some
instances the porosity of the polymer may be as low as 20 to
40%.
[0084] The amount of voids (i.e., pore volume or void volume) can
be measured by a variety of techniques. For example, the pore
volume of any porous material can be measured by an absorption
method. In this method, the porous material is placed in an inert
liquid of known density and the volume of liquid absorption by the
material is determined. The percentage of pore volume in the
material can be calculated or estimated by dividing the volume of
liquid absorbed by the total theoretical volume of the nonporous
material plus the volume of liquid absorbed, i.e.:
pore volume.apprxeq.(V1)/(V1+Vm)
where V1=volume of liquid absorbed and Vm=volume of the material in
a non-porous state. Vm can be determined from the density of
non-porous material and the weight of the porous material, i.e.,
Vm=M I 0, where M is the weight of the porous material and 0 is the
density of a corresponding non-porous material, which are known for
many polymers or can be easily determined by preparing a non-porous
polymer from the same material.
[0085] The pore volume can also be determined by using the
Archimedes' principle, which is well known to one skilled in the
art. In its simplistic terms, the Archimedes' principle relies on
the volume displacement of a liquid to determine the actual volume
of the material. Thus, in this method Vm is measured by Archimedes'
principle and the other variable can be measured as described
above.
[0086] Alternatively, it is standard in the battery separator
industry to determine the battery separator's relative porosity
through an air permeability test using a Gurley Densometer, e.g.,
4340 (by Gurley Precision Instruments, Troy, N.Y.) or an analogous
instrument. The Gurley Densometer forces air from one separator
surface to the other surface at a fixed differential pressure and
measures the time required to pass a certain volume of air per unit
surface area of material. The air permeability is closely
correlated to the ionic resistance of the separator in electrolyte
and is used as a substitute measure.
[0087] In particular, the Gurley Densometer measures the porosity
or air permeability of materials where air flow is an important
characteristic relative to their use. The Gurley Densometer is
applicable for testing any porous material, such as nonwoven or
woven textiles, filter and tissue papers, facial tissues, paper and
cloth felts, some types of blotting, saturating and absorbent bag
papers, wire meshes, as well as polymers. The Gurley Densometer is
considered to be a standard instrument for measuring high levels of
air-permeability or air-resistance as recommended in various test
methods published by ASTM, TAPPI and ASA. For purposes of the
present invention, the Gurley value (i.e., Gurley air permeability
flow rate) is a measure of seconds per volume of air per thickness
of the polymer per unit surface area of material. The microporous
polymers of the present invention preferably have a Gurley value of
less than 4 s/mL of air flow per 25 microns of microporous polymer
thickness per square inch of material.
[0088] Another method for measuring the air permeability of
material is illustrated in FIG. 1. The apparatus of FIG. 1
basically works by using a descending column of water to pull air
through the porous material. First the column 10 is filled with
water with the reservoir 20 in the upper position 24 and the sample
30, whose porosity is to be measured, is placed in the sample
holder 34. Then the reservoir 20 is lowered to the lower position
28 and the water flows from the column 10 to the reservoir 20, thus
pulling air through the sample. The time for a given volume of air
to be pulled through a given area of the separator is measured. The
time measured is corrected for the time it would take the water
with no sample present and normalized for the thickness of the
sample. This measurement gives a substantially similar value as
that of the Gurley air flow rate.
[0089] For the sake of brevity, convenience and illustration, this
detailed description of the invention will now be illustrated in
reference to FIG. 1. It is to be understood, however, that the
invention as a whole is not intended to be so limiting, and that
one skilled in the art will recognize that the concept of the
present invention will be applicable by the use of other
appropriate apparatus which can be used to produce a porous
composite material of the present invention in accordance with the
techniques discussed herein. Such apparatuses suitable for use in
the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art.
Methods of Preparation
[0090] Some aspects of the present invention provide simple and
efficient formulas and processes for producing highly microporous
polymers. The present invention utilizes a novel formula and
processing means for creating voids in a polymer material.
[0091] Methods and processes of the present invention are
illustrated herein in reference to producing highly microporous
polymers for the sole purpose of brevity and convenience of
illustration. It is to be understood that unless otherwise stated
or the context requires otherwise, methods and processes of the
present invention as a whole are not intended to be limited to
production of only highly microporous polymers. In fact, one
skilled in the art will readily recognize that the concept of a
various methods and processes disclosed herein is applicable to
producing polymers of a wide degree of porosity including
semi-porous and non-porous polymers. Methods for producing polymers
of different porosity will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art after having read the present disclosure.
[0092] Some methods of the present invention utilize liquids and
polymer properties to produce a polymer solution which can form a
stable gel phase. In some methods, the polymer material has a
relatively broad range of solubility properties in the liquid over
a relatively narrow range of polymer concentrations and
temperatures. It is desirable that the dissolved polymer material
go from being fully dissolved to a gel phase with only moderate to
minimal operation, such as drying and/or cooling of the polymer
solution. The gel phase can form spontaneously or through minimal
processing operations. Once a gelled polymer is formed, the liquid
is removed to produce a porous polymer. Thus, a stable but
sometimes highly swelled polymer gel is formed initially from the
polymer solution. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed
that the preferred gelled polymer comprises a solid that is
surrounded by high surface tension, non-wetting liquid. As
conventionally described, the term "solvent" refers to a liquid
that is used primarily to dissolve the polymer material, and the
term "non-solvent" refers to a liquid that is believed to be
responsible for the formation of micropores. However, it should be
appreciated that a liquid as described herein can function both as
a dissolving agent and pore former. Any liquid or combination of
liquids that in essence functions as both a "solvent" and a
"non-solvent" at different points within a narrow range of
temperatures and compositions is particularly useful in the present
invention.
[0093] It is believed that a gel phase occurs when a limited
portion of the polymer material forms a precipitate or a solid
phase. Usually this phenomenon is associated with semicrystalline
polymers. These materials are typically characterized by having a
portion of the molecular chains that are aligned or organized in a
relatively orderly fashion over a limited region of the polymer
molecules. The regions that remain in a disorganized fashion are
termed amorphous. Often, the solubility of these crystalline and
amorphous regions is sufficiently different that in certain
specific liquids over a limited range of concentrations and
temperatures, a two phase system is produced. The crystalline
regions from a solid-like, structural network and the amorphous
polymer regions remain in solution as a liquid. It is believed that
removal of the liquid from the amorphous regions without
significantly collapsing the gel or crystalline phase yields the
desired polymer.
[0094] It is desirable to remove the liquid from the gel phase
without excessive shrinkage of the gel and/or collapse of the pore
structure. For example, in some cases the amorphous phase within
the polymer gel can have over 90% volume of liquid and less than
10% solids content. By removing the liquid in a controlled manner,
the pore volume of the resulting porous polymer is preserved at
nearly the full volume previously occupied by the liquid (i.e., 90%
voids after complete drying of all liquids).
[0095] Typically, polymers of the present invention are produced by
forming a layer of a polymer solution on a substrate. The polymer
solution comprises a liquid and a polymer material that is
dissolved in the liquid. Liquid can include a low surface tension
liquid and/or a high surface tension liquid. The "high surface
tension liquid" refers to a liquid that has a surface tension
higher than the surface energy of the solid polymer material.
Similar, a "low surface tension liquid" refers to a liquid that has
a surface tension lower than the surface energy of the solid
polymer material.
[0096] A high surface tension liquid can serve as the sole liquid
component in the polymer solution. The liquid portion of the
solution need not, but can also include a low surface tension
liquid. When both a high surface tension liquid and a low surface
tension liquid are present in the polymer solution, it is desirable
that the high surface tension liquid has a lower volatility, e.g.,
lower vapor pressure, than the low surface tension liquid such that
a sufficient amount of the high surface tension liquid remains in
the solution subsequent to any removal, e.g., via evaporation or
other means, of an accompanying low surface tension liquid to form
the gel phase. After the gel phase has formed, the remaining high
surface tension liquid can be removed to form the porous polymer.
Typically, the high surface tension liquid is removed from the gel
phase by direct air drying or other simple method such as suction,
blotting, surface rinsing, etc. without the need for liquid
extraction, high vacuum, heat or other complex steps.
[0097] When both the high surface tension liquid and the low
surface tension liquid are present in the polymer solution, the
ratio of the low surface tension liquid relative to the high
surface tension liquid is generally about 99:1 v/v or less, and
typically about 9:1 v/v or less.
[0098] Typically, the high surface tension liquid has a surface
tension of about 35 dynes/cm or greater at 25.degree. C.,
preferably at least about 40 dynes/cm, and more preferably at least
about 50 dynes/cm. Exemplary high surface tension liquids include
acetamide, acetophenone, adiponitrile, aniline, benzaldehyde,
benzyl benzoate, benzonitrile, benzophenone, bromine, bromobenzene,
tribromomethane, bromophenol, carbon disulfide, chloroacetic acid,
chlorobenzene, chlorophenol, diethylaniline, diethylene glycol,
dimethyl aniline, dimethyl phenyl pyrazolane, dimethyl sulfoxide,
diphenylamine, ethylaniline, ethylene bromide, ethylene glycol,
formamide, formic acid, furfural, "(butyrolactone, glycerin,
glycerol, methyl aniline, methyl benzoate, methylene iodide, nitric
acid, nitrobenzene, nitromethane, phenol, phosphorous tribromide,
phosphorous triiodide, propylene glycol, pyridine, pyridazine,
quinoline, sulfuric acid, tetra bromomethane, toluene, xylene, and
water. In some methods of the present invention water is used as
the high surface tension liquid.
[0099] Examples of low surface tension liquids include ketones,
esters, ethers, aldehydes, organic nitrogen compounds, organic
sulfur compounds, and a mixture of two or more thereof. Typically,
the ketone is selected from the group consisting of acetone, methyl
ethyl ketone, pentanone, hexanone, a cyclic ketone, and a mixture
of two or more thereof.
[0100] The composition of the liquid in the polymer solution is
generally selected such that the polymer material has a limited
solubility in the liquid. Typically, the solubility of the polymer
material in the liquid is about 25% v/v or less. In some cases, the
solubility of the polymer material in the liquid is about 10% v/v
or less. No matter what the polymer material solubility is, some
methods of the present invention use a polymer solution where the
amount of dissolved polymer material in the polymer solution is
near or above its saturation point. This allows a quicker gel
formation, thereby reducing the overall production time.
[0101] Polymers of the present invention are organic polymers;
therefore, the composition of polymers of the present invention
comprises carbon and hydrogen, halogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and/or
sulfur. Some of the polymers of the present invention comprise
carbon and halogen, such as chloride and/or fluoride. A particular
example of useful polymer materials include polyvinylidene
fluoride, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile,
polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinylidene fluoridehexafluoropropylene
copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-styrene
copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer,
polydiene, polyalkane, polyacrylic, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl
alcohol, polyacetal, polyvinyl ketone, polyvinyl halide, polyvinyl
nitril, polyvinyl ester, polystyrene, polyphenylene, polyoxide,
polycarbonate, polyester, polyanhydride, polyurethane,
polysulfonate, polysulfide, polysulfone, polyamide, and a mixture
thereof.
[0102] One particularly useful polymer material includes
polyvinylidene fluoride, polylvinylidene
fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, and/or polyvinyl chloride.
Some copolymers of the present invention comprise at least about
80% polyvinylidene fluoride.
[0103] The polymer material can be a homopolymer or a co-polymer of
two or more different polymer materials. Whether a homopolymer or a
co-polymer is used, it is desirable that the dissolved polymer
material is able to form a semi-crystalline solid. As used herein,
the term "semi-crystalline" refers to a solid material that
includes a mixture of a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase as
known by those skilled in the art. Thus, a semi-crystalline polymer
can be a single component polymer or a mixture of crystalline and
amorphous polymers.
[0104] Preferably, the substrate, on which the layer of polymer
solution is placed, has a high surface free energy. Without being
bound by any theory, using a high surface free energy substrate
reduces or eliminates incidences of the porous polymer from
coalescing on the substrate. It is intended that the scope of the
present invention includes both forming a porous polymer
independent of the substrate as well as substrates that form more
highly dispersed micropores with the porous polymer of the present
invention.
[0105] Typically, the surface free energy of the substrate that is
used to produce polymers of the present invention has a surface
free energy of about 35 dynes/cm or greater at 25.degree. C.,
preferably at least about 40 dynes/cm, and more preferably at least
about 50 dynes/cm. Exemplary high surface free energy substrates
include glass and metals, such as aluminum, steel, copper, gold,
silver, etc.
[0106] It is desirable to form a gelled polymer under conditions
sufficient to provide a non-wetting, high surface tension solution.
The term "non-wetting" refers to conditions where a substantial
amount of previously dissolved or solvated solid material is
precipitated in a high surface tension (i.e., non-wetting) liquid.
Non-wetting liquid compositions and/or conditions can be readily
determined by placing the liquid composition on a film of the solid
polymer material and measuring the contact angle between the liquid
and the solid. Non-wetting liquids will not spread on a solid
surface of higher surface free energy and will form beads of
liquid. Alternatively, to those skilled in the art, direct surface
tension measurements can be made by measuring the force to spread a
given amount of liquid on the solid. Generally, if the liquid beads
on the surface of the solid material, it is considered to be a
non-wetting, high surface tension liquid, and if the liquid spreads
on the solid material surface, the liquid is considered to be a
wetting, low surface tension liquid. An exemplary procedure for
determining wetting characteristics of microporous polymer
materials is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,866, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0107] The gelled polymer is formed at a temperature below the
boiling temperature of the solution or below the melt temperature
of the polymer material, whichever is lower. Typically, the gelled
polymer is formed at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. or less.
It should be appreciated that the polymer material can be dissolved
in the liquid by heating and/or by high shear mixing. Whatever the
temperature that is used in forming a substantially homogenous
polymer solution, it is desirable to form the gelled polymer at a
temperature of about 5.degree. C. or less relative to the
dissolution and wetting temperature of the polymer material. Often
the gelled polymer is formed by placing the polymer solution on to
a substrate that is at a lower temperature than the polymer
solution. Alternatively, after placing the polymer solution on to a
substrate, the polymer solution can be cooled to form a gelled
polymer. In addition, or alternatively, a gelled polymer can be
formed from the polymer solution layer by removing at least a
portion of the liquid, e.g., by evaporation which can be aided by
blowing a gas over the polymer solution layer or by vacuum.
[0108] As stated above, after the gelled polymer has formed the
remaining liquid can be removed to form the porous polymer.
Typically, the liquid is removed from the gel phase by direct air
drying, vacuum, or other simple methods. Often the polymer drying
temperature is at or below the gelled polymer formation
temperature. Typically, the liquid from the gelled polymer is
removed at a temperature of about 30.degree. C. or less, or at a
temperature of about 5.degree. C. or less relative to the
dissolution and wetting temperature of the polymer material.
Preferably, upon drying of the gelled polymer the film does not
significantly shrink or lose its porosity.
Utility
[0109] Some polymers of the present invention are generally highly
porous. Processes of the present invention can be used to produce
porous polymers having a suitable void content, pore size and
tortuosity of the pores that are sufficient to prevent or
substantially reduce undesirable passage of particulates or other
materials through the pores but adequate to allow communication of
fluids through the polymer.
[0110] In addition, methods of the present invention can be used to
produce a strong polymer film that is highly porous with fine
diameter complex pore geometry. Polymers of other mechanical and/or
physical properties can be produced by methods of the present
invention by the selection of a polymer solution system that
combines the proper type of solution parameters with a specific
type of polymer molecular structure.
[0111] Polymers of the present invention can be used in
electrochemical devices (such as battery separators, capacitor
separators, electrode binder materials, sensors, etc.), and as
filtration materials (for example in separating gases, ions, and/or
liquids), fabrics, mats, cloth, fibers (including hollow fibers),
structural foams, as well as other applications that are well known
to one skilled in the art, and other areas where polymers are
used.
[0112] Methods of the present invention provide a wide range of
polymer thickness depending on the desired application of the
polymer. For the sake of brevity and for illustrative purposes
only, the utility and/or the thickness of polymers of the present
invention will now be described in reference to a battery
separator.
[0113] Batteries have an anode and a cathode that is separated by a
separator (i.e., battery separator). The principal function of the
battery separator is to prevent physical contact and electrical
conduction (i.e., "shorts") between the anode and the cathode while
permitting ionic conduction via the electrolyte. The pores of the
separator are filled with an ionically conductive electrolyte or
allow migration of fluid from one electrode to another. Since the
pores of battery separators are conduits of power, batteries having
high porosity separator(s) provide a higher battery power and/or a
longer battery life. In some cases, battery separators also need to
provide good mechanical properties, e.g., in dry batteries, for
winding and low electrical resistivity for device performance.
[0114] Some of the microporous polymers of the present invention
have a porosity that is substantially higher than that of
conventional battery separators. This makes highly microporous
polymers of the present invention especially useful as separators
for high power batteries. The thickness of microporous polymers of
the present invention can vary depending on the method of
fabrication. For use as a battery separator, the thickness of the
highly microporous polymer of the present invention is about 5 mm
or less. In some instances, the highly microporous polymer of the
present invention is produced as a thin film, often having the
thickness of about 100 .mu.m or less or preferably for lithium
batteries, 25 micron or less.
[0115] Some applications require a highly porous polymer with a
good mechanical strength. Methods of the present invention provide
highly porous polymers having the tensile strength of at least
about 100 psi as well as those having the tensile strength of at
least about 400 psi.
[0116] Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of this
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
examination of the following examples thereof, which are not
intended to be limiting.
EXAMPLES
General Procedures
[0117] A mixture of 97% acetone, 3% polymer (AtoChem PVDF-HFP
2801), 2% water (all amounts by weight %) was heated to about
40.degree. C. with high shear mixing until all the polymer material
dissolved. The resulting solution was cooled carefully to about
25.degree. C. to 35.degree. C. to avoid any gel formation. The
solution was then coated onto glass or smooth metal foil substrates
at ambient temperature to yield about 500 micron of solution film
thickness.
[0118] The film was further solidified/dried into final
configuration by natural convection or forced air drying at a
temperature of about 25.degree. C. The dried polymer was removed
from the substrate. Wetting with a low surface tension liquid such
as methanol can be used if necessary to break adhesion of polymer
to glass. The film was further dried prior to use in lithium cells
(i.e., vacuum oven drying of solidified films at <50.degree. C.
for 16 hr).
[0119] Polymer films can also be coated in a similar manner onto
lithium ion cell anodes and cathodes as desired to form an
integral, bonded separator layer directly on the electrodes.
TABLE-US-00001 Preliminary Lab Evaluations of Baseline Technology:
Test Sample Data for Density and Porosity Calculation w l t wt.
.delta. % Formulation (cm) (cm) (.mu.m) (g) (g/mL) porosity 3% PVDF
2801; 2% 12 24 19 0.38 0.69 85 water; 95% acetone same as above
(except 15 29 19 0.47 0.57 90 coated on ethylene glycol release
agent) 2.3% PVDF 2801, 1.5% 13 16 25 0.23 0.44 87.5 PVDF 301F,
0.75% PVDF 761, 6.9% MEK, 78.2% acetone, 6.9% dioxolane, 3.4% water
where w = width; l = length; t = thickness (slightly compressed);
wt = dry weight; .delta. = density
[0120] Several microporous polymer films were prepared using both
the single PVDF-HFP copolymer material as well as with blends of
multiple PVDF grades and liquids. These samples were produced as
described above using water as the high surface tension liquid. The
table provides the details for these samples.
[0121] The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not
intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed
herein. Although the description of the invention has included
description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and
modifications, other variations and modifications are within the
scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and
knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present
disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include
alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including
alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,
ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
* * * * *