Electrochemical cell with ionic semiconductor separator

• US 5,211,827 A
• Filed: 08/05/1991
• Issued: 05/18/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: T and G Corporation
• Original Assignee: T and G Corporation
• Inventors: Peck, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Niebling, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORGOS, KATHRYN L
• Application Number:
  US07/740,061
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 204/252, 204/296, 252/315.011
• US Class Current: 204/252
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/594 Mixtures of polymers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/51 the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0208 Tissues; Wipes; Patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/042 Gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/731 Cellulose; Quaternized cellulose derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/87 Polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 26/008 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 17/00 Barrier preparations; Preparations brought into direct contact with the skin for affording protection against external influences, e.g. sunlight, X-rays or other harmful rays, corrosive materials, bacteria or insect stings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/141 Heterogeneous membranes, e.g. containing dispersed material; Mixed matrix membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/1411 containing dispersed material in a continuous matrix
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/04 by electrolysis of water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 13/08 based on organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/73 of the filter-press type
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/40 Semi-permeable membranes or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/20 Semi-lead accumulators, i.e. accumulators in which only one electrode contains lead
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/36 Accumulators not provided for in groups H01M10/05-H01M10/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/06 with one metallic and one gaseous electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/62 Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/621 Binders
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/86 : Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/414 : Synthetic resins, e.g. thermoplastics or thermosetting resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/417 : Polyolefins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/42 : Acrylic resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/423 : Polyamide resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/426 : Fluorocarbon polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/24 : Cells comprising two different electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/08 : Fuel cells with aqueous electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/188 : by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 : Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells

Abstract

An electrochemical cell employs an ionic semiconductor material as a separator between an anolyte and a catholyte. Ionic semiconductor material includes 10 to approximately 50 percent by weight of a hydrogel which is dispersed within an inert nonporous matrix material to form a composite wherein the quantity of water that can be absorbed by the composite does not substantially exceed the weight of the composite.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell comprising:

an anode;

an anolyte;

a cathode;

a catholyte, the catholyte having a different pH when compared to the anolyte;

a membrane separating said anolyte from said catholyte, said membrane comprising a nonporous solid composite material which is formed by a hydrogel substantially uniformly dispersed throughout an inert man made matrix material with said hydrogel comprising approximately 10 to 50% by weight of the dry composite material, ions selectively passing through said membrane from said anolyte to said catholyte whereby an electric current may flow through an external circuit connected between said anode and said cathode.

2. The cell of claim 1 wherein the pH difference between said anolyte and said catholyte has an absolute value of at least 1.0 pH.

3. The cell of claim 1 wherein anions selectively pass through said membrane from said anolyte to said catholyte and cations simultaneously selectively pass from said catholyte to said anolyte.

4. The cell of claim 1 wherein the matrix material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, vinyl acetate/ethylene, and phenol formaldehyde.

5. The cell of claim 4 wherein the hydrogel is a synthetic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamide.