The present invention provides novel and improved stimulus responsive polymers and methods of using the same for the purification of biomolecules.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass a variety of polymers derived from polycyclic olefin monomers, such as hydrocarbon functionalized norbomenes. The polymers so formed function as ionomers and are suitable as anion exchange membrane for fabricating a variety of electrochemical devices, among others. More specifically, the ionomeric polymers used herein are derived from a variety of quaternized amino functionalized norbornene monomers and are lightly crosslinked (less than ten mol %). The membranes made therefrom exhibit very high ionic conductivity of up to 198 mS/cm at 80° C. This invention also relates to using an anion conducting solid polymer electrolyte as the ion conducting medium between the two electrodes and the ion conducting medium within the electrodes acting as the ionic conduit between electroactive material and electrolyte. The electrochemical devices made in accordance of this invention are useful as fuel cells, gas separators, and the like.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass a variety of polymers derived from polycyclic olefin monomers, such as hydrocarbon functionalized norbomenes. The polymers so formed function as ionomers and are suitable as anion exchange membrane for fabricating a variety of electrochemical devices, among others. More specifically, the ionomeric polymers used herein are derived from a variety of quaternized amino functionalized norbornene monomers and are lightly crosslinked (less than ten mol %). The membranes made therefrom exhibit very high ionic conductivity of up to 198 mS/cm at 80° C. This invention also relates to using an anion conducting solid polymer electrolyte as the ion conducting medium between the two electrodes and the ion conducting medium within the electrodes acting as the ionic conduit between electroactive material and electrolyte. The electrochemical devices made in accordance of this invention are useful as fuel cells, gas separators, and the like.

Disclosed are a composition for an electrode binder of a capacitive deionization apparatus including at least one a hydrophilic polymer and a bifunctional cross-linking agent having a hydroxy group or a carboxyl group at both terminal ends, and at least one anion exchange group therein, and the bifunctional cross-linking agent being cross-linkable with the at least one hydrophilic polymer, an electrode for a capacitive deionization apparatus including the composition, a capacitive deionization apparatus including the electrode, and a method of removing ions from a liquid by using the capacitive deionization apparatus.

Disclosed are a composition for an electrode binder of a capacitive deionization apparatus including at least one a hydrophilic polymer and a bifunctional cross-linking agent having a hydroxy group or a carboxyl group at both terminal ends, and at least one anion exchange group therein, and the bifunctional cross-linking agent being cross-linkable with the at least one hydrophilic polymer, an electrode for a capacitive deionization apparatus including the composition, a capacitive deionization apparatus including the electrode, and a method of removing ions from a liquid by using the capacitive deionization apparatus.

The present disclosed are a high exchange-capacity anion exchange resin with dual functional-groups and method of synthesis thereof. The invention relates to the field of environmental function material synthesis and application. The resin is based on chloromethylated polystyrene-divinylbenzene polymer as matrix, and by primary amination and quaternization, yields an anion exchange resin with dual functional-groups having both a weak base anionic group and a strong base anionic group. The anion exchange resin not only has high adsorption capacity for water-born nitrate ions, but also can effectively squelch natural organic acids such as phytic acid in water, thus simultaneously removing nitrate ions and phytic acid organic matter from water. Therefore, the resin has a broad application potential in the fields of drinking water treatment, groundwater remediation, and advanced urban sewage treatment.

The present disclosed are a high exchange-capacity anion exchange resin with dual functional-groups and method of synthesis thereof. The invention relates to the field of environmental function material synthesis and application. The resin is based on chloromethylated polystyrene-divinylbenzene polymer as matrix, and by primary amination and quaternization, yields an anion exchange resin with dual functional-groups having both a weak base anionic group and a strong base anionic group. The anion exchange resin not only has high adsorption capacity for water-born nitrate ions, but also can effectively squelch natural organic acids such as phytic acid in water, thus simultaneously removing nitrate ions and phytic acid organic matter from water. Therefore, the resin has a broad application potential in the fields of drinking water treatment, groundwater remediation, and advanced urban sewage treatment.

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 BiPhenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL). trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 BiPhenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL). trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

A method is proposed by means of which a composite layer is producible in as simple and controlled a manner as possible, and by means of which composite layers with different predetermined properties can be produced with as little expenditure as possible, and thus economically. The method includes: providing a nanofiber material, comminuting the nanofiber material while forming nanorods, providing a liquid medium, which comprises an ionomer component and a dispersant, dispersing the nanorods in the liquid medium while forming a nanorod ionomer dispersion, and applying the nanorod ionomer dispersion to a surface region of a substrate while forming a composite layer. An electrochemical unit including the composite layer is provided. The composite layer is useful in a fuel cell (hydrogen fuel cell or direct alcohol fuel cell), in a redox flow cell, in an electrolytic cell, or in an ion exchanger, and useful for anion or proton conduction.