	US 12,233,381 B2
	Membranes for enhancing rates of water dissociation and water formation
Shane Ardo, Irvine, CA (US); William White, Irvine, CA (US); Lawrence A. Renna, Irvine, CA (US); Rohit Bhide, Irvine, CA (US); Leanna Schulte, Irvine, CA (US); and Gabriel S. Phun, Irvine, CA (US)
Assigned to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Oakland, CA (US)
Filed by THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Oakland, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/084,425.
Application 17/084,425 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2020/032705, filed on May 13, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/847,118, filed on May 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0046423 A1, Feb. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. B01D 61/46 (2006.01); B01D 61/44 (2006.01); B01D 69/02 (2006.01); B01D 69/12 (2006.01); B01J 43/00 (2006.01); B01J 45/00 (2006.01); B01J 47/12 (2017.01); C02F 1/42 (2023.01)

CPC B01D 61/465 (2022.08) [B01D 61/445 (2013.01); B01D 61/466 (2022.08); B01D 69/02 (2013.01); B01D 69/12 (2013.01); B01J 43/00 (2013.01); B01J 45/00 (2013.01); B01J 47/12 (2013.01); C02F 1/42 (2013.01)]

6 Claims

1. A bipolar membrane (BPM) (100) for enhancing a rate of water dissociation or formation, said BPM (100) comprising a cation-exchange membrane (CEM) layer (102), an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) layer (104), and a catalytic polymer layer (106) interfacing and juxtaposed between the CEM layer (102) and the AEM layer (104),

wherein the catalytic polymer layer (106) comprises a polymer backbone functionalized with catalytic buffer groups, the catalytic buffer groups comprising proton-transfer functional groups, proton-transfer coordination compounds, or combinations thereof, wherein the proton-transfer catalytic functional groups have a pk_ain the range of about 6 to 8 and the proton-transfer catalytic coordination compounds have a pK_fin the range of about 4 to 10,

wherein the proton-transfer functional groups comprise amines, pyrazines pyrimidines, pyridazines, imidazoles, piperazines, morpholines, boronates, phosphonates, nucleobases, or amino acids, and

wherein the proton-transfer coordination compounds comprise ligated cationic zinc, copper, iron, or lead.