JP2006040629A - Fuel discharge method from fuel composition for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make fuel for a fuel cell easily discharge from a fuel composition containing fuel for the fuel cell, without the need of a heating device or heating energy. <P>SOLUTION: Fuel is made discharge into water by making the fuel composition contact with water. As the fuel composition, a molecular compound of the fuel for the fuel cell or fuel absorbed in a polymer can be cited. The fuel for the fuel cell can be easily discharged from the fuel composition in a simple method such as pouring water in a vessel filled with the fuel composition, without the need of a heating device or heating energy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for releasing a fuel cell fuel relatively easily from a fuel composition containing the fuel cell fuel.

A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a solid electrolyte membrane such as a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane as an electrolyte, and a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode are joined to both sides of the membrane. Hydrogen or methanol is used for the anode and oxygen is used for the cathode. Is a device that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction. The electrochemical reaction that occurs at each electrode is as follows:
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 6H ⁺ + CO ₂ + 6e ⁻ [1]
And at the cathode,
3/2 O ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O [2]
It is. In order to cause this reaction, both electrodes are composed of a mixture of carbon fine particles carrying a catalyst material and a solid polymer electrolyte.

  In such a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, when methanol is used as the fuel, the methanol supplied to the anode reaches the catalyst through the pores in the electrode, and the methanol is decomposed by the catalyst. Electrons and hydrogen ions are generated by the reaction of reaction formula [1]. The hydrogen ions reach the cathode through the electrolyte in the anode and the solid electrolyte membrane between the electrodes, react with oxygen supplied to the cathode and electrons flowing from the external circuit, and water is formed as in the above reaction formula [2]. Arise. On the other hand, electrons emitted from methanol are led to the external circuit through the catalyst carrier in the anode, and flow into the cathode from the external circuit. As a result, in the external circuit, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode and electric power is taken out.

  This direct methanol fuel cell using methanol as a fuel has a high possibility of being applicable as a portable small fuel cell, and in recent years, development has been activated as a next-generation secondary battery such as a portable computer or a mobile phone.

However, hydrogen and methanol used as fuel for fuel cells are highly dangerous and have many handling problems. As a method for safely storing such a fuel, a method using a fuel as a molecular compound (WO2004000857, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-421077) and a method of absorbing and gelling a polymer (JP 2004-127659 A) are reported. Has been. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for releasing fuel cell fuel from those fuel cell fuels having a stable composition, it is common to heat the fuel composition to release the fuel.
WO2004000857 Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-421077 JP 2004-127659 A

  However, in order to heat the fuel composition containing the fuel for fuel cells and release the fuel, an apparatus for heating is required and a large energy for heating is required, which is industrially advantageous. There has been a demand for a method for releasing fuel more easily from a fuel composition containing a fuel for fuel cells.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of easily releasing fuel cell fuel from a fuel composition containing fuel cell fuel without requiring a heating device or heating energy.

  A method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for fuel cells according to the present invention (Claim 1) is a method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition containing fuel for fuel cells, wherein the fuel composition for fuel cells is mixed with water. The fuel is released into the water by contact.

  The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the fuel cell is a solid polymer fuel cell.

  The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in claim 2, the fuel cell is a direct methanol fuel cell.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for releasing a fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the fuel cell is a portable small fuel cell.

  The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 5 is the fuel cell fuel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fuel for the fuel cell is hydrogen, alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, and acetal. It is 1 type, or 2 or more types chosen from the group which consists of a kind.

  The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 6 is the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel composition for a fuel cell contains a molecular compound of a fuel for a fuel cell and a counterpart compound. It is characterized by including.

  The method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in claim 6, the molecular compound is an inclusion compound formed from the fuel for the fuel cell and a host compound. .

  The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for fuel cells according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in claim 7, the host compound is supported on a porous material.

  The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 9 is the method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the host compound is selected from the group consisting of an organic compound, an inorganic compound, and an organic / inorganic composite compound. It is the above.

  The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 10 is the method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the host compound is selected from the group consisting of monomolecular, polymolecular and polymeric host compounds. It is one type or two or more types selected.

The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 11 is the fuel composition for fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel composition for fuel cell is a crosslinked product (A) of the following polymer compound (1): And a fuel for a fuel cell.
Polymer compound (1): a polymer compound obtained by polymerizing or copolymerizing a structural unit having a carboxyl group and / or a sulfonic acid group in the molecule (hereinafter referred to as “acidic group-containing structural unit (a)”). In the polymer compound (2) having a content of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) of 20 to 100% by weight, 30 to 100 mol% of protons of the carboxyl group and / or the sulfonic acid group Polymer compound substituted with onium cation

  The fuel release method from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 12 is characterized in that, in claim 11, the onium cation is a quaternary ammonium cation.

  The fuel release method from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 13 is the method according to claim 12, wherein the quaternary ammonium cation is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic ammonium cation, an imidazolinium cation and an imidazolium cation. It is 1 type or 2 types or more, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The method for releasing fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 14 includes the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) contained in the polymer compound (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 13. The amount of the polymer compound (1) is 40 to 100% by weight, and 50 to 100 mol% of the protons of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the polymer compound (2) are substituted with an onium cation. It is characterized by the above.

  According to the present invention, for example, a fuel composition containing fuel for a fuel cell can be obtained by a very simple method such as passing water through a container filled with the fuel composition without requiring a heating device or heating energy. Thus, the fuel for the fuel cell can be easily released.

  For this reason, fuel cells for fuel cells that are difficult to handle can be safely and stably stored as fuel compositions containing fuel for fuel cells, and fuel for fuel cells can be easily and inexpensively removed from the fuel composition. It is extremely advantageous industrially.

  Of the fuels for fuel cells, the methanol stock solution corresponds to a deleterious substance under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law, and it corresponds to a dangerous substance class 4 and must be handled with great care. Methanol is usually used as an aqueous solution of about 10 to 30% by weight when methanol is used as a fuel because of problems such as corrosion. In the present invention, by bringing the fuel composition into contact with water and releasing the fuel in the fuel composition into water, the fuel can be supplied to the fuel cell as an aqueous solution having an appropriate concentration. However, the release method of the present invention is extremely advantageous industrially.

  Embodiments of a method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

  The form of the fuel cell according to the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, including a direct methanol fuel cell.

  The fuel for the fuel cell according to the present invention may be any fuel that can be used as a fuel for the fuel cell, and examples thereof include hydrogen, alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, acetals, and the like. It is not limited. More specifically, examples of the fuel material include hydrogen, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, and ethylene glycol, ethers such as dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, and diethyl ether, and hydrocarbons such as propane and butane. And acetals such as dimethoxymethane and trimethoxymethane. These may be used singly or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the form of the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to the present invention include [1] a fuel cell fuel made of a molecular compound, and [2] a fuel cell fuel absorbed by a polymer. However, it is not limited to these.

First, the fuel compositions [1] and [2], which are typical fuel compositions containing the fuel for fuel cells according to the present invention, will be described.
[1] Molecular compound of fuel cell fuel and counterpart compound The molecular compound referred to in the present invention is represented by two or more kinds of compounds that can exist stably alone, such as hydrogen bond and van der Waals force. In other words, it is a compound bonded by a relatively weak interaction other than a covalent bond, and includes a hydrate, a solvate, an addition compound, an inclusion compound, and the like. Such a molecular compound can be formed by a contact reaction between a partner compound that forms the molecular compound and a fuel for a fuel cell. For example, a gas or liquid fuel cell fuel is changed to a solid compound and compared. It is possible to store the fuel for the fuel cell stably and lightly.

  Examples of the molecular compound according to the present invention include an inclusion compound in which a fuel for a fuel cell is included by a contact reaction between a host compound and a fuel for a fuel cell.

  As a host compound that forms an inclusion compound that includes a fuel for a fuel cell, an organic compound, an inorganic compound, and an organic / inorganic composite compound are known. Multimolecular and high molecular weight hosts are known.

  Monomolecular host compounds include cyclodextrins, crown ethers, cryptands, cyclophanes, azacyclophanes, calixarenes, cyclotriveratrylenes, spherands, cyclic oligopeptides, etc. . Examples of the multi-molecular host compound include ureas, thioureas, deoxycholic acids, perhydrotriphenylenes, tri-o-thymotides, beansryls, spirobifluorenes, cyclophosphazenes, monoalcohols, Diols, acetylene alcohols, hydroxybenzophenones, phenols, bisphenols, trisphenols, tetrakisphenols, polyphenols, naphthols, bisnaphthols, diphenylmethanols, carboxylic acid amides, thioamides, bixanthenes, Examples thereof include carboxylic acids, imidazoles, and hydroquinones. In addition, examples of the polymer host compound include celluloses, starches, chitins, chitosans, polyvinyl alcohols, polyethylene glycol arm type polymers having 1,1,2,2-tetrakisphenylethane as a core, α, Examples include polyethylene glycol arm type polymers having α, α ′, α′-tetrakisphenylxylene as a core.

  In addition, an organophosphorus compound, an organosilicon compound, etc. are also mentioned.

  Examples of inorganic host compounds include titanium oxide, graphite, alumina, transition metal dicargogenite, lanthanum fluoride, clay minerals (such as montmorillonite), silver salts, silicates, phosphates, zeolites, silica, and porous glass. It is done.

  Further, some organometallic compounds exhibit properties as host compounds, such as organoaluminum compounds, organotitanium compounds, organoboron compounds, organozinc compounds, organoindium compounds, organogallium compounds, organotellurium compounds, organotin compounds. , Organic zirconium compounds, and organic magnesium compounds. Moreover, it is also possible to use a metal salt of an organic carboxylic acid, an organic metal complex, or the like, but it is not particularly limited as long as it is an organic metal compound.

  Of these host compounds, multi-molecular host compounds whose inclusion ability is hardly influenced by the molecular size of the guest compound are preferable.

  Specific examples of the multimolecular host compound include urea, 1,1,6,6-tetraphenylhexa-2,4-diyne-1,6-diol, and 1,1-bis (2,4-dimethyl). Phenyl) -2-propyn-1-ol, 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-2-butyne-1,4-diol, 1,1,6,6-tetrakis (2,4-dimethylphenyl)- 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol, 9,10-diphenyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene-9,10-diol, 9,10-bis (4-methylphenyl) -9,10-dihydroanthracene- 9,10-diol, 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane-1,2-diol, 4-methoxyphenol, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2 2'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2 ', 4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane, 4,4'-sulfonylbisphenol, 2,2'-methylenebis (4- Methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4′-ethylidenebisphenol, 4,4′-thiobis (3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 1,1,3-tris (2-methyl-4-hydroxy) -5-t-butylphenyl) butane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethylene, 1,1,2, 2-tetrakis (3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (3-fluoro-4-hydroxy) Phenyl) ethane, α, α, α ′, α′-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) -p-xylene, tetrakis (p-methoxyphenyl) ethylene, 3,6,3 ′, 6′-tetramethoxy-9, 9'-bi-9H-xanthene, 3,6,3 ', 6'-tetraacetoxy-9,9'-bi-9H-xanthene, 3,6,3', 6'-tetrahydroxy-9,9 ' -Bi-9H-xanthene, gallic acid, methyl gallate, catechin, bis-β-naphthol, α, α, α ′, α′-tetraphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dimethanol, Diphenic acid bisdicyclohexylamide, fumaric acid bisdicyclohexylamide, cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane, tetrakis (p-iodophenyl) ethylene, 9,9 ′ -Beanthryl, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (3-carboxyphenyl) ethane, acetylenedicarboxylic acid, 2,4,5-triphenylimidazole 1,2,4,5-tetraphenylimidazole, 2-phenylphenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole, 2- (o-cyanophenyl) phenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole, 2- (m -Cyanophenyl) phenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole, 2- (p-cyanophenyl) phenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole, hydroquinone, 2-t-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-t-butyl And hydroquinone and 2,5-bis (2,4-dimethylphenyl) hydroquinone.

  Among the compounds described above, 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4 -Hydroxyphenyl) phenolic host compounds such as ethylene, diphenic acid bis (dicyclohexylamide), amide based host compounds such as fumaric acid bisdicyclohexylamide, 2- (m-cyanophenyl) phenanthro [9,10-d] An imidazole host compound such as imidazole is advantageous in terms of inclusion ability, and in particular, a phenol host compound such as 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane is advantageous in terms of easy industrial use. It is.

  These host compounds may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  These host compounds may be any shape compounds as long as they form a solid clathrate compound with the fuel for the fuel cell.

  Of the host compounds described above, the organic host compound can also be used as an organic / inorganic composite material supported on an inorganic porous material. In this case, examples of the porous material supporting the organic host compound include intercalation compounds such as clay minerals and montmorillonites in addition to silicas, zeolites and activated carbons, but are not limited thereto. is not. Such an organic / inorganic composite material is prepared by dissolving the above-mentioned organic host compound in a solvent capable of dissolving it, impregnating the solution in a porous material, drying the solvent, drying under reduced pressure, etc. It can be manufactured by the method. The amount of the organic host compound supported on the porous material is not particularly limited, but is usually about 10 to 80% by weight based on the porous material.

  As a method for synthesizing a fuel cell fuel clathrate compound using a host compound such as 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane as described above, a method of directly contacting and mixing a fuel cell fuel and a host compound Accordingly, the clathrate compound that clathrates the fuel for the fuel cell can be easily synthesized. Further, the clathrate compound can also be synthesized by heating and dissolving the host compound in the fuel cell fuel and then recrystallizing it. If the fuel for the fuel cell is a gas or a liquid, the fuel can be made into an inclusion compound by contacting the fuel with a host compound in a pressurized state.

  In the synthesis of the clathrate compound, the temperature at which the fuel for the fuel cell and the host compound are brought into contact with each other is not particularly limited, but is preferably from room temperature to about 100 ° C. There is no particular limitation on the pressure condition at this time. The time for contacting the fuel cell fuel with the host compound is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.01 to 24 hours from the viewpoint of work efficiency.

  The fuel for the fuel cell to be brought into contact with the host compound is preferably a high-purity fuel. However, when a host compound having the selective inclusion ability of the fuel for the fuel cell is used, the fuel for the fuel cell and other components are used. And a mixed liquid.

  The clathrate compound thus obtained varies depending on the type of the host compound used, the contact conditions with the fuel for the fuel cell, etc., but usually 0.1 to 10 fuel molecules for the fuel cell per mole of the host compound. It is an clathrate compound that clathrates a mole.

  The clathrate compound thus obtained can stably store fuel for fuel cells over a long period of time in a normal temperature / normal pressure environment. In addition, the inclusion compound is lightweight, easy to handle, and can be made solid, so it can be easily stored in a glass, metal, plastic or other container, and there is also a problem of liquid leakage. It will be resolved. In addition, since the fuel for a fuel cell, which is usually gaseous or liquid, becomes solid by inclusion, the property as a deleterious substance or a dangerous substance can be avoided. Furthermore, the chemical reactivity of the fuel for the fuel cell can be reduced, and for example, the corrosiveness to metals can be alleviated.

  The host compound after the fuel cell fuel is released from such an inclusion compound by the method described later has a selective inclusion ability with respect to the fuel cell fuel. It can be effectively reused.

[2] Fuel composition in which fuel cell fuel is absorbed in polymer This fuel composition is obtained by adding a liquid fuel cell fuel (hereinafter referred to as “liquid fuel”) to a crosslinked product (A) of the following polymer compound (1). Is absorbed (impregnated).
Polymer compound (1): a polymer compound obtained by polymerizing or copolymerizing a structural unit having a carboxyl group and / or a sulfonic acid group in the molecule (hereinafter referred to as “acidic group-containing structural unit (a)”). In the polymer compound (2) having a content of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) of 20 to 100% by weight, 30 to 100 mol% of protons of the carboxyl group and / or the sulfonic acid group Polymer compound substituted with onium cation

  As will be described later, in the present invention, the polymer compound (1) is produced by substituting a predetermined amount of protons of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the polymer compound (2) with an onium cation. The polymer compound (1) is not limited in any way, and the polymer compound (1) is produced by previously substituting the proton of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) with an onium cation, and then polymerizing or copolymerizing it. It may be what was done. Similarly, the crosslinked body (A) of the polymer compound (1) is not necessarily limited to a crosslinked polymer compound (1) produced in advance, and a crosslinked body of the polymer compound (1) can be obtained. As long as the polymer compound (2) or the polymer compound (1) is produced, crosslinking may be performed. The introduction and crosslinking of the onium cation may be performed in two or more stages.

  The acidic group-containing structural unit (a) constituting the polymer compound (2) includes a monomer having a carboxyl group [for example, (meth) acrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, crotonic acid, sorbic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, Fumaric acid, cinnamic acid, and anhydrides thereof]; monomers having a sulfonic acid group [for example, aliphatic vinyl sulfonic acid [vinyl sulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, vinyl toluene sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, etc.], (meta ) Acrylate type sulfonic acid [sulfoethyl (meth) acrylate, sulfopropyl (meth) acrylate etc.]] and (meth) acrylamide type sulfonic acid [[acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid etc.] and the like. The carbon number of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) is preferably 3-30.

  In the polymer compound (2), one kind of these acidic group-containing structural units (a) may be contained alone, or two or more kinds may be contained. Further, in the polymer compound (2), a structural unit that is copolymerizable with the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) other than the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) (hereinafter referred to as “other structural unit (b)”). May be included).

  Examples of the other structural unit (b) include alkyl (meth) acrylate (C1-30) esters [methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, propyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) ) Butyl acrylate, ethyl hexyl (meth) acrylate, octyl (meth) acrylate, dodecyl (meth) acrylate, stearyl (meth) acrylate, phenyl (meth) acrylate, octylphenyl (meth) acrylate, (meta Cyclohexyl acrylate, etc.]; oxyalkyl (meth) acrylate (1 to 4 carbon atoms) [hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, mono (polyethylene glycol) ester (meth) acrylate (PEG number average molecular weight: 100 to 4,000), (meth) acrylic acid mono Polypropylene glycol) ester (PPG number average molecular weight: 100 to 4,000), (meth) acrylic acid monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (PEG number average molecular weight: 100 to 4,000), (meth) acrylic acid monomethoxypropylene glycol (PPG) Number average molecular weight: 100 to 4,000) etc.], (meth) acrylamides [(meth) acrylamide, (di) methyl (meth) acrylamide, (di) ethyl (meth) acrylamide, (di) propyl (meth) acrylamide Etc.], allyl ethers [methyl allyl ether, ethyl allyl ether, propyl allyl ether, glycerol monoallyl ether, trimethylolpropane triallyl ether, pentaerythritol monoallyl ether, etc.], α-olefin having 4 to 20 carbon atoms Ins [isobutylene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, isooctene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, etc.], aromatic vinyl compounds having 8 to 20 carbon atoms [styrene, t-butylstyrene, octyl] Styrene, etc.], other vinyl compounds [N-vinylacetamide, vinyl caproate, vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate, etc.], amino group-containing monomers [dialkyl (alkyl carbon number: 1 to 5) aminoethyl (meth) acrylate] , Meth (acryloyl) oxyethyltrialkyl (alkyl carbon number: 1 to 5) ammonium chloride, bromide, sulfate, etc.] and alkali metal salts, primary to tertiary amine salts or alkanols of monomers having the carboxyl group and sulfonic acid group. An amine salt etc. can be mentioned. As for these other structural units (b), one kind may be contained alone or two or more kinds may be contained in the polymer compound (2).

  The content of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) in the polymer compound (2) is usually 20 to 100% by weight, preferably 40 to 100% by weight, more preferably 60 to 100% by weight. When the content of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) in the polymer compound (2) is less than 20%, even if the proton of a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group is replaced with an onium cation described later, it becomes a storage target. In some cases, the amount of liquid fuel absorbed decreases or the liquid fuel cannot be gelled with a small amount.

  In the case where the polymer compound (2) contains another structural unit (b), among the above-mentioned exemplary structural units, from the viewpoint of the polymerizability of the monomer and the stability of the produced polymer, (meth) acrylic acid alkyl esters, Oxyalkyl (meth) acrylates, allyl ethers, α-olefins and aromatic vinyl compounds are preferred.

  In order to efficiently absorb and gel the liquid fuel, the difference in SP value between the liquid fuel and the other structural unit (b) is 5 or less in accordance with the SP value (solubility parameter) of the liquid fuel. It is preferable to select a liquid fuel because the amount of absorption and gelling power are likely to increase. The difference between the SP value of the liquid fuel to be absorbed and the SP value of the other structural unit (b) is selected to be 3 or less. Is more preferable.

  The method for producing the polymer compound (2) is not particularly limited as long as the polymer compound (2) containing a predetermined amount of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) is finally obtained. In addition to the method of polymerizing a predetermined amount of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a), the polymer compound (2) is easily carboxylated such as an esterified product or amidated product of the carboxyl group- or sulfonic acid group-containing monomer. It can also be produced by polymerizing a monomer which can be changed into a group or a sulfonic acid group and introducing a predetermined amount of a structural unit of a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group into the molecule by a method such as hydrolysis. Moreover, it can also manufacture by the method of graft-copolymerizing the carboxyl group represented by carboxymethylcellulose, a sulfonic acid group containing polysaccharide polymer, and this polysaccharide and another monomer.

  The polymer compound (1) is obtained by replacing 30 to 100 mol% of the protons of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of such a polymer compound (2) with an onium cation.

  Here, the onium cation is selected from the group of cations consisting of a quaternary ammonium cation (I), a tertiary phosphonium cation (II), a quaternary phosphonium cation (III), and a tertiary oxonium cation (IV). 1 type, or 2 or more types.

Examples of the quaternary ammonium cation (I) include the following (I-1) to (I-11).
(I-1) Aliphatic quaternary ammonium having an alkyl and / or alkenyl group having 4 to 30 or more carbon atoms; tetramethylammonium, ethyltrimethylammonium, diethyldimethylammonium, triethylmethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, trimethyl Propylammonium, tetrapropylammonium, butyltrimethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium, etc .;
(I-2) Aromatic quaternary ammonium having 6 to 30 or more carbon atoms; trimethylphenylammonium, dimethylethylphenylammonium, triethylphenylammonium and the like;
(I-3) C3-C30 or more alicyclic quaternary ammonium; N, N-dimethylpyrrinium, N-ethyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium, N, N dimethylmorpholinium, N, N diethylmorpholinium, N, N dimethylpiperidinium, N, N-diethylpiperidinium, etc .;
(I-4) imidazolinium having 3 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 1,2,3-trimethylimidazolinium, 1,2,3,4-tetramethylimidazolinium, 1,3,4-trimethyl 2-ethylimidazolinium, 1,2-dimethyl-3,4-diethylimidazolinium, 1,2-dimethyl-3-ethylimidazolinium, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolinium, 1,2 , 3,4-tetraethylimidazolinium, 1,2,3-triethylimidazolinium, 4-cyano-1,2,3-trimethylimidazolinium, 2-cyanomethyl-1,3-dimethylimidazolinium, 4 -Acetyl-1,2,3-trimethylimidazolinium, 4-methylcarboxymethyl-1,2,3-trimethylimidazolinium, 4-formyl-1,2, - trimethyl imidazolinium, 3-hydroxyethyl-1,2,3-trimethyl imidazolinium, 1,2 3-hydroxyethyl dimethyl imidazolinium like;
(I-5) imidazolium having 3 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 1,3-dimethylimidazolium, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium, 1,2,3 , 4-tetramethylimidazolium, 1,2-dimethyl-3-ethylimidazolium, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium, 1,2,3-triethylimidazolium, 1,2,3,4-tetraethylimidazolium, 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenylimidazolium, 1,3-dimethyl-2-benzylimidazolium, 4-cyano-1,2,3-trimethylimidazolium, 3-cyanomethyl-1,2-dimethylimidazolium, 4-acetyl-1,2,3-trimethylimidazolium, 4-methoxy- , 2,3-trimethylimidazolium, 3-formylmethyl-1,2-dimethylimidazolium, 2-hydroxyethyl-1,3-dimethylimidazolium, N, N′-dimethylbenzimidazolium, N, N ′ -Diethyl benzimidazolium, N-methyl-N'-ethyl benzimidazolium, etc .;
(I-6) Tetrahydropyrimidinium having 4 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyridinium, 1,2,3-trimethyltetrahydropyridinium, 1,2,3,4-tetramethyltetrahydropyridinium, 8-methyl-1,8-diazabicyclo [5,4,0] -7-undecenium, 5-methyl-1,5-diazabicyclo [4,3,0] -5-nonenium, 3-cyanomethyl-1,2- Dimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 3-acetylmethyl-1,2-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 4-methylcarboxymethyl-1,2,3-trimethyl-tetrahydropyrimidinium, 3-methoxymethyl-1,2-dimethyl Tetrahydropyrimidinium, 4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dimethyltetrahydro Rimijiniumu and the like;
(I-7) Dihydropyrimidinium having 4 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 1,3-dimethyl-2,4- or -2,6-dihydropyrimidinium [these are 1,3-dimethyl-2, This is expressed as 4, (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, and the same expression is used hereinafter. 1,2,3-trimethyl-2,4, (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 1,2,3,4-tetramethyl-2,4, (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 1,2 , 3,5-tetramethyl-2,4, (6) -dihydropymidinium, 8-methyl-1,8-diazacyclo [5,4,0] -7,9 (10) -undecandienium, 2 -Cyanomethyl-1,3-dimethyl-2,4, (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 3-acetylmethyl-1,2-dimethyl-2,4, (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 4-methylcarboxy Methyl-1,2,3-trimethyl-2,4, (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 4-formyl-1,2,3-trimethyl-2,4, (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 3- Hydroxyethyl-1,2-dimethyl-2,4, ( ) - dihydropyrimidinium like;
(I-8) Guanidium having an imidazolinium skeleton having 3 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 2-dimethylamino-1,3,4-trimethylimidazolinium, 2-diethylamino-1,3,4-trimethylimidazole Linium, 2-dimethylamino-1-methyl-3,4-diethylimidazolinium, 2-dimethylamino-1,3-dimethylimidazolinium, 2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylimidazolinium, 2- Diethylamino-1,3-diethylimidazolinium, 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro1,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrimido [1,2a] imidazolinium, 1,5-dihydro-1,2-dimethyl- -2H-pyrimido [1,2a] imidazolinium, 2-dimethylamino-3-methylcarboxymethyl-1-methylimidazo 2-dimethylamino-3-methoxymethyl-1-methylimidazolinium, 2-dimethylamino-3-hydroxyethyl-1-methylimidazolinium, 2-dimethylamino-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3- Dimethylimidazolinium, etc .;
(I-9) Guanidium having an imidazolium skeleton having 3 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 2-dimethylamino-1,3,4-trimethylimidazolium, 2-diethylamino-1,3,4-trimethylimidazolium, 2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethyl-4-ethylimidazolium, 2-diethylamino-1,3,4-triethylimidazolium, 2-dimethylamino-1,3-dimethylimidazolium, 1,5,6,7 -Tetrahydro-1,2-dimethyl-2H-imide [1,2a] imidazolium, 1,5-dihydro-1,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrimido- [1,2a] imidazolium, 2-dimethylamino-3 -Cyanomethyl-1-methylimidazolium, 2-dimethylamino-4-methylcarboxymethyl-1,3-dimethyli Dazolium, 2-dimethylamino-3-methoxymethyl-1-methylimidazolium, 2-dimethylamino-3-formylmethyl-1-methylimidazolium, 2-dimethylamino-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dimethylimidazole Lithium, etc .;
(I-10) Guanidium having a tetrahydropyrimidinium skeleton having 4 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 2-dimethylamino-1,3,4-trimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 2-diethylamino-1,3,4- Trimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1 , 2-dimethyl-2H-imide [1,2a] pyrimidinium, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-1,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrimido [1,2a] pyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino- 3-cyanomethyl-1-methyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-4-acetyl-1 3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium 2-dimethylamino-4-methylcarboxymethyl-1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-3-methoxymethyl-1-methyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino -3-hydroxyethyl-1-methyltetrahydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidinium, etc .;
(I-11) Guanidium having a dihydropyrimidinium skeleton having 4 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 2-dimethylamino-1,3,4-trimethyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 2- Diethylamino-1,3,4-trimethyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 2-diethylamino-1,3,4-triethyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 2-diethylamino- 1,3-dimethyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-3-methyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 1,6,7,8 -Tetrahydro-1,2-dimethyl-2H-imide [1,2a] pyrimidinium, 1,6-dihydro-1,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrimido [1,2a] pyrimidinium, 2-dimethyl Ruamino-4-cyano-1,3-dimethyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-3-acetylmethyl-1-methyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-3-methylcarboxymethyl-1-methyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-4-formyl-1,3-dimethyl-2,4 (6) -dihydro Pyrimidinium, 2-dimethylamino-3-formylmethyl-1-methyl-2,4 (6) -dihydropyrimidinium, etc .;

Examples of the tertiary phosphonium cation (II) include the following (II-1) to (II-3).
(II-1) Aliphatic tertiary phosphonium having an alkyl and / or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 or more carbon atoms; trimethylsulfonium, triethylsulfonium, ethyldimethylsulfonium, diethylmethylsulfonium and the like;
(II-2) Aromatic tertiary phosphonium having 6 to 30 or more carbon atoms; phenyldimethylsulfonium, phenylethylmethylsulfonium, phenylmethylbenzylsulfonium and the like;
(II-3) alicyclic tertiary phosphonium having 3 to 30 or more carbon atoms; methylthiolanium, phenylthiolanium, methylthianium, etc .;

Examples of the quaternary phosphonium cation (III) include the following (III-1) to (III-3).
(III-1) Aliphatic quaternary phosphonium having an alkyl and / or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 or more carbon atoms; tetramethylphosphonium, tetraethylphosphonium, tetrapropylphosphonium, tetrabutylphosphonium, methyltriethylphosphonium, methyl Tripropylphosphonium, methyltributylphosphonium, dimethyldiethylphosphonium, dimethyldibutylphosphonium, trimethylethylphosphonium, trimethylpropylphosphonium, trimethylbutylphosphonium, etc .;
(III-2) Aromatic quaternary phosphonium having 6 to 30 or more carbon atoms; triphenylmethylphosphonium, diphenyldimethylphosphonium, triphenylbenzylphosphonium and the like;
(III-3) alicyclic quaternary phosphonium having 3 to 30 or more carbon atoms; 1,1-dimethylphosphoranium, 1-methyl-1-ethylphosphonium, 1,1-diethylphosphonium, 1,1-diethyl phosphorinanium, 1,1-pentaethylene phosphorinanium, etc .;

Examples of the quaternary oxonium cation (IV) include the following (IV-1) to (IV-3).
(IV-1) Aliphatic tertiary oxonium having an alkyl and / or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 or more carbon atoms; trimethyloxonium, triethyloxonium, ethyldimethyloxonium, diethylmethyloxonium and the like;
(IV-2) Aromatic tertiary oxonium having 6 to 30 or more carbon atoms; phenyldimethyloxonium, phenylethylmethyloxonium, phenylmethylbenzyloxonium, etc .;
(IV-3) An alicyclic tertiary oxonium having 3 to 30 or more carbon atoms; methyl oxolanium, phenyl oxolanium, methyl oxonium and the like;

  Among these, a preferred onium cation is a quaternary ammonium cation (I), more preferred are the above (I-1), (I-4) and (I-5), and particularly preferred are ( I-4) and (I-5).

  These onium cations may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  In the present invention, as a method of substituting the proton of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the polymer compound (2) with the onium cation, any method can be used as long as a predetermined amount of this proton can be substituted with the onium cation. For example, a hydroxide salt of the above onium cation (for example, tetraethylammonium hydroxide) or a monomethyl carbonate salt (for example, 1,2,3,4-trimethylimidazolinium monomethyl carbonate) To the polymer compound (2), and if necessary, can be easily replaced by dehydration, decarboxylation, or demethanol. Moreover, you may substitute similarly in the step of the monomer which comprises a high molecular compound (2).

  Examples of the method for producing the polymer compound (1) by substitution with an onium cation include, for example, polymerization after substituting protons of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) with an onium cation. Alternatively, a method of copolymerization, a method of substituting protons of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the polymer compound (2) with an onium cation, etc. As long as the molecular compound (1) is obtained, the substitution of the proton of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) with the onium cation may be performed at any stage.

  The proportion (hereinafter referred to as “onium cation substitution rate”) of the proton of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the polymer compound (2) by an onium cation is usually 30 to 100 mol%, preferably 50 to 50%. It is 100 mol%, More preferably, it is 70-100 mol%. If the onium cation substitution rate is less than 30 mol%, the dissociation of the carboxyl group, sulfonic acid group and onium cation of the polymer compound (1) may be too low, and the swelling power and gelling power may be low.

  In the present invention, the polymer compound (1) is crosslinked by performing crosslinking in any one of the above-described production process of the polymer compound (2), the production process of the polymer compound (1), or a subsequent process. It is assumed that the body (A). The crosslinking method may be a known method, and examples thereof include the following methods (1) to (5).

(1) Cross-linking with a copolymerizable cross-linking agent;
Of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) and / or the onium cation-substituted product of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a), which is a raw material of the polymer compound (2), and other structural units (b) used as necessary A copolymerizable cross-linking agent that can be copolymerized with one or more types (hereinafter collectively referred to as “raw material components”) or has two or more double bonds in the molecule [for example, divinylbenzene Polyvalent vinyl type crosslinking agents, (meth) acrylamide type crosslinking agents such as N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide, polyvalent allyl ether type crosslinking agents such as pentaerythritol triallyl ether, and polyvalent (meta) such as trimethylolpropane triacrylate. ) Acrylic ester type cross-linking agent, etc.] is copolymerized with the raw material components and crosslinked before or during synthesis of the polymer compound (2).

(2) Cross-linking with a reactive cross-linking agent;
Reactive crosslinkers having two or more functional groups in the molecule that can react with the functional groups of the raw material components [for example, polyisocyanate type crosslinkers such as 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether, etc. -Valent epoxy type crosslinking agents, polyhydric alcohol type crosslinking agents such as glycerin, polyvalent amines such as hexamethylenetetramine and polyethyleneimine, imine type crosslinking agents, haloepoxy type crosslinking agents such as epichlorohydrin, and polyvalent metal salt types such as aluminum sulfate Crosslinking before or during synthesis of the polymer compound (2) using a crosslinking agent or the like].

(3) Crosslinking with a polymerization reactive crosslinking agent;
Polymerization-reactive crosslinking agent [for example, glycidyl such as glycidyl methacrylate (such as glycidyl methacrylate) having a functional group capable of copolymerizing with the raw material component or having a double bond in the molecule and capable of reacting with the functional group of the raw material component. A method of crosslinking before or during the synthesis of the polymer compound (2) using a (meth) acrylate type crosslinking agent, an allyl epoxy type crosslinking agent such as allyl glycidyl ether].

(4) Cross-linking by irradiation;
A method of crosslinking the polymer compound (1) by irradiating the polymer compound (1) with radiation such as ultraviolet rays, electron beams, γ rays, or the like. A method in which polymerization and crosslinking are simultaneously performed during the synthesis of the molecular compound (2).

(5) Crosslinking by heating;
The polymer compound (2) or the polymer compound (1) is heated to 100 ° C. or more and thermally crosslinked between the molecules of the polymer compound (2) or the polymer compound (1) [between carbon due to generation of radicals by heating. Or cross-linking between functional groups].

  Among these crosslinking methods, the preferred method varies depending on the use and form of the final product, but from a comprehensive aspect, (1) crosslinking with a copolymerizable crosslinking agent, (2) crosslinking with a reactive crosslinking agent, and (4) Cross-linking by radiation irradiation.

  Preferred among the copolymerizable crosslinking agents are polyvalent (meth) acrylamide type crosslinking agents, allyl ether type crosslinking agents, and polyvalent (meth) acrylic acid ester type crosslinking agents, and more preferred are: It is an allyl ether type crosslinking agent. Among the reactive crosslinking agents, preferred are a polyvalent isocyanate type crosslinking agent and a polyvalent epoxy type crosslinking agent, and more preferred are a polyvalent isocyanate type crosslinking agent having three or more functional groups in the molecule. Or a polyvalent epoxy type crosslinking agent.

  The degree of cross-linking can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose of use, but when a copolymerizable cross-linking agent is used, the addition amount is preferably 0.001 to 10% by weight, based on the total raw material component weight, 0.01 to More preferred is 5% by weight.

  When a reactive cross-linking agent is used, the preferred amount varies depending on the shape of the cross-linked product (A), but is preferably 0.001 to 10% by weight based on the total raw material components. In order to produce a good integrated gel containing a liquid fuel, which will be described later, it is particularly preferably 0.01 to 50% by weight based on the total raw material components.

  In the present invention, a raw material component, that is, an acidic group-containing structural unit (a) and / or an onium cation-substituted product of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a), and a polymerization method of other structural unit (b) used as necessary are also known. Examples thereof include a solution polymerization method in a solvent in which each of the above monomers and the polymer to be formed dissolves, a bulk polymerization method in which polymerization is performed without using a solvent, and an emulsion polymerization method. Among these, the solution polymerization method is preferable.

  The solvent used in the case of solution polymerization can be appropriately selected depending on the solubility of the monomer and polymer used. Examples thereof include alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, carbonates such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate, and γ-butyrolactone. Lactones, lactones such as ε-caprolactam, ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, carboxylic acid esters such as ethyl acetate, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, etc. The organic solvent, water, etc. can be mentioned. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The polymerization concentration in the solution polymerization is not particularly limited and may vary depending on the intended use, but is preferably 1 to 80% by weight, and more preferably 5 to 60% by weight.

  The polymerization initiator may be a normal one, such as an azo initiator [azobisisobutyronitrile, azobiscyanovaleric acid, azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, azobis { 2-methyl-N- (2-hydroxyethyl) propionamide} and the like], peroxide initiators [benzoyl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, succinic peroxide, di ( 2-ethoxyethyl) peroxydicarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, etc.] and redox initiators [a combination of the above peroxide-based initiators and a reducing agent (ascorbic acid or persulfate), etc.].

  Examples of other polymerization methods include a method of adding a photosensitizing initiator [benzophenone or the like] and irradiating with ultraviolet rays or the like, a method of irradiating with radiation such as γ rays or electron beams, and the like.

  The amount of initiator added when a polymerization initiator is used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.0001 to 5% by weight, and 0.001 to 2% by weight based on the total weight of the raw material components used. Further preferred.

  The polymerization temperature also varies depending on the target molecular weight, the decomposition temperature of the initiator, the boiling point of the solvent used, etc., but is preferably -20 to 200 ° C, more preferably 0 to 100 ° C.

  Such a crosslinked body (A) has the ability to absorb liquid fuel, and absorbs liquid fuel to form a stable fuel composition.

  The amount of liquid fuel absorbed in the cross-linked body (A) varies depending on the type of the target fuel, the composition of the cross-linked body (A), the gel strength, and the like. It is preferable to design to ˜1,000 g-methanol / g-crosslinked product (A), more preferably 50 to 900 g / g. If this absorption amount is 10 g / g or more, the liquid retention amount is sufficient and the storage efficiency is excellent. If it is 1,000 g / g or less, there is no problem that the gel strength of the fuel composition retaining the liquid fuel is too weak.

  When making the crosslinked body (A) which concerns on this invention into a particulate form, the particle diameter is 0.1-5,000 micrometers in a volume average particle diameter, More preferably, it is 50-2,000 micrometers. Further, the portion less than 0.1 μm is preferably 10% by weight or less, the portion exceeding 5,000 μm is preferably 10% by weight or less, more preferably 5% or less.

  The particle size was measured using a low-tap test sieve shaker and a JIS Z8801-2000 standard sieve, Perry's Chemical Engineers Handbook, 6th edition (Mac Glow Hill Book Company, 1984, page 21). (Hereinafter, the particle diameter is measured by this method.).

The method for making the crosslinked product (A) into a particulate form is not particularly limited as long as it finally becomes a particulate form, and examples thereof include the following methods (i) to (iv).
(I): If necessary, using a solvent, the copolymerizable crosslinking agent is copolymerized to prepare a crosslinked product (A) of the polymer compound (1), and if necessary, the solvent is distilled off by a method such as drying. A method of pulverizing into particles using a known pulverization method.
(Ii); polymerizing using a solvent if necessary to prepare a polymer compound (1), then crosslinking the polymer compound (1) by means of the reactive crosslinking agent or irradiation, and then drying if necessary A method in which the solvent is distilled off by a method such as pulverization using a known pulverization method to form particles.
(Iii); acidic group-containing structural unit (a), and if necessary, other structural unit (b) is copolymerized in the presence of the above-mentioned copolymerizable cross-linking agent using a solvent and cross-linked to form a polymer. Then, after adding the onium cation compound and replacing the proton of the acid group with a predetermined amount of onium cation, if necessary, the solvent is distilled off by a method such as drying, and pulverization is performed using a known pulverization method to form particles. And how to.
(Iv); an acidic group-containing structural unit (a), and if necessary, another structural unit (b) is copolymerized with a solvent if necessary in the presence of the copolymerizable crosslinking agent to form an uncrosslinked polymer. Then, by performing irradiation with the onium cation compound and the reactive crosslinking agent or radiation, the polymer is crosslinked at the same time as replacing the proton of the acid group, and if necessary, the solvent is distilled off by a method such as drying. A method of pulverizing into particles using the above pulverization method.

  In the above method, the drying performed as necessary in the process of forming the crosslinked body (A) in the form of particles may be a known drying method, for example, aeration drying (circulation dryer etc.), air permeation drying (band type dryer) Etc.), vacuum drying (vacuum dryer etc.), contact drying (drum dryer etc.) and the like.

  The drying temperature in the case of drying is not particularly limited as long as the polymer or the like is not deteriorated or excessively crosslinked, but is preferably 0 to 200 ° C, more preferably 50 to 150 ° C.

  When the cross-linked product (A) is in the form of particles, the pulverization method may be a well-known method, for example, impact pulverization (pin mill, cutter mill, ball mill type pulverizer, high-speed rotation type pulverizer such as ACM pulverizer, etc.) And air pulverization (jet pulverizer, etc.), freeze pulverization, and the like.

  The fuel composition comprising the cross-linked product (A) and the fuel can be processed into various forms depending on the purpose, and the shape is not particularly limited, but preferred forms are particles, sheets, and integral gelation. Can be mentioned.

  Hereinafter, although the preparation method of a preferable form is demonstrated, since the preparation method etc., a preferable method, etc. differ a little with the form of a fuel composition, each is demonstrated.

  The particulate fuel composition may be one in which the particulate crosslinked body (A) has absorbed liquid fuel, or may have been particulate after absorbing liquid fuel. The method for forming particles may be the same as the method for producing the granular crosslinked body (A), and the volume average particle diameter and the like are preferably the same.

When the fuel composition is formed into a sheet, examples of the sheet forming method include the following methods (v) to (vii).
(V): A method in which the particulate crosslinked product (A) is sandwiched between non-woven fabrics or papers to form a sandwich sheet, and then liquid fuel is absorbed.
(Vi): after impregnating and / or applying a non-crosslinked body of the polymer compound (1) to a substrate composed of one or more of nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, paper, and film, followed by crosslinking with the crosslinking agent, The polymer compound (1) is cross-linked using one or two or more cross-linking means selected from the group consisting of cross-linking by radiation irradiation and cross-linking by heating, and if necessary, the solvent is distilled off to form a sheet. A method of absorbing fuel.
(Vii) Acidic group-containing structural unit (a) 20 to 100% by weight obtained by substituting 30 to 100 mol% of protons with the onium cation, 0 to 80% by weight of the other structural unit (b), and the crosslinking agent After impregnating and / or applying a mixed solution consisting of one or more of a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, paper, or a film, the substrate is subjected to polymerization initiator and / or radiation, etc. A method of polymerizing using one or two or more cross-linking means selected from the group consisting of cross-linking by irradiation and cross-linking by heating, and forming a sheet by distilling off the solvent if necessary, and then absorbing the liquid fuel.

  Among these methods, (vi) or (vii) is preferable from the viewpoint of easy adjustment of the thickness of the prepared sheet and the absorption rate of the prepared sheet. When the shape is a sheet, the thickness of the fuel composition sheet is preferably 1 to 50,000 μm, more preferably 5 to 30,000, and particularly preferably 10 to 10,000 μm. When the thickness of the sheet is 1 μm or more, the basis weight of the crosslinked body (A) is not too small, and when it is 50,000 μm or less, the thickness of the sheet is not too thick. The sheet length and width can be appropriately selected depending on the size to be used, and are not particularly limited. However, the preferred length is 0.01 to 10,000 m, and the preferred width is 0.1 to 300 cm.

The basis weight of the cross-linked product (A) in the fuel composition sheet is not particularly limited, but the weight per unit area is determined by taking into account the absorption / holding capacity of the target liquid fuel and the thickness not being too thick. preferably 10~3,000g / ^{m 2,} more preferably 20~1,000g / ^{m 2.}

In the present invention, a substrate such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, paper, or a film that is used as necessary to form the sheet may be a known substrate, for example, a synthetic material having a basis weight of about 10 to 500 g / m ^2. Examples thereof include non-woven fabrics or woven fabrics composed of fibers and / or natural fibers, paper (quality paper, thin paper, Japanese paper, etc.), films composed of synthetic resins, and two or more substrates thereof and composites thereof.

  Among these substrates, preferred are nonwoven fabrics or composites of nonwoven fabrics and plastic films or metal films, and particularly preferred are nonwoven fabrics, composites of nonwoven fabrics and plastic films.

  Although there is no limitation in particular regarding the thickness of these base materials, it is 1-50,000 micrometers normally, Preferably it is 10-20,000 micrometers. When the thickness is less than 1 μm, it is difficult to impregnate or apply the predetermined amount of the polymer compound (1). On the other hand, when the thickness exceeds 50,000 μm, the sheet is too thick and contains a fuel for fuel. When it becomes, the whole body becomes large and it becomes difficult to use it.

  The coating method and impregnation method of the polymer compound (1) to the substrate may be a known method, and for example, a usual method such as coating or padding may be applied. After performing the coating and padding treatment, the solvent used for polymerization, dilution, viscosity adjustment and the like may be distilled off by a method such as drying, if necessary.

The amount of fuel absorbed (fuel content) in the sheet-like fuel composition is not particularly limited as long as the amount of fuel supply can be sufficiently secured, but is 0.1 to 500 g-fuel / cm ² -sheet. 1 to 400 g / cm ² is more preferable. When the absorption amount is 0.1 g / cm ² , a sufficient amount of the liquid fuel can be absorbed, and when it is 500 g / cm ² or less, the sheet that has absorbed the liquid fuel does not become too thick.

  The fuel composition according to the present invention may be an integral gelled fuel composition comprising the crosslinked body (A) and a liquid fuel. The ratio of the crosslinked body (A) / fuel in this integral gelled fuel composition is preferably 0.1 to 99/1 to 99.9% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 50/50 to 99. 0.5% by weight, particularly preferably 1-30 / 70-99% by weight, most preferably 1-20 / 80-99% by weight. When the ratio of the crosslinked body (A) is 0.1% by weight or more, there is no case where the gel strength of the produced fuel-containing gel is weak or the whole cannot be gelled, while the crosslinked body is 99% by weight or less. Since there is too much content of (A), there is no inconvenience that the amount of fuel required is too small and a sufficient amount of fuel cannot be secured.

Examples of a method for producing an integral gelled fuel composition include: (viii) a method of adding a predetermined amount of fuel to the particulate crosslinked body (A) of the present invention described above; (ix) a crosslinked body (A) Although a method of adding fuel to the contained sheet may be used, these fuel-containing gels are preferably prepared by the methods listed in (x) and (xi) below.
(X): The polymer compound (1) is dissolved in a liquid fuel, and the polymer compound (1) is integrated by crosslinking by any of the crosslinking means such as crosslinking by the crosslinking agent, crosslinking by radiation irradiation, and crosslinking by heating. To make a gel.
(Xi); 20-100 wt% of acidic group-containing structural unit (a) in which 30-100 mol% of protons are substituted with the onium cation in the liquid fuel, and other structural units (b) 0-80 if necessary A method of forming an integrated gel by polymerizing in weight percent in the presence of the copolymerizable crosslinking agent.

  The form of the integrated gel fuel composition comprising the cross-linked body (A) and the liquid fuel can be appropriately selected. Examples of the shape include a sheet shape, a block shape, a spherical shape, and a cylindrical shape. Can do. Among these, a preferable shape is a sheet shape, a block shape, or a column shape.

  In the case of a sheet-like gel, the thickness of the gel is preferably 1 to 50,000 μm, and more preferably 10 to 20,000 μm. What is necessary is just to select suitably about the width | variety and length of a sheet-like gel according to the use purpose, a place, a use, etc.

  There is no particular limitation on the method for producing an integral gelled fuel composition having a desired shape, for example, a method of gelling in a container or cell in accordance with the shape to be produced, release paper, film, nonwoven fabric, etc. Furthermore, the method etc. which create the gel by making the said high molecular compound (1), a raw material component, etc. and liquid fuel mixture into a sheet form by methods, such as lamination | stacking or coating, can be illustrated.

  In addition, the fuel composition of this embodiment includes other gelling agents (fatty acid soap, dibenzal sorbite, hydroxypropyl cellulose, benzylidene sorbitol, carboxyvinyl polymer, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyalkylene, sorbitol, nitro as necessary. Cellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, acetylbutylcellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS resin, AB resin, acrylic resin, acetal resin, polycarbonate, nylon, phenol resin, phenoxy resin, urea resin, alkyd resin, polyester, epoxy resin, phthalate Acid diallyl resin, polyallomer, etc.) and adsorbents (dextrin, dextran, silica gel, silica, alumina, molecular sieve, kaolin, diatom , Carbon black, activated carbon, etc.), a thickener, binder, fuel may be blended with one or more selected from the group consisting of substances which non-fluidized by chemical transformation. These are not particularly limited as long as they can exhibit their respective functions, and may be solid or liquid. Moreover, these can be mix | blended in the arbitrary steps which produce a fuel composition.

[3] Method for releasing fuel cell fuel from fuel composition In the present invention, the above-mentioned [1] fuel composition containing a molecular compound of fuel for fuel cell, or [2] a fuel cell fuel absorbed in a polymer When the fuel cell fuel is released from the fuel composition such as the fuel composition, the fuel cell fuel in the fuel composition is eluted to the water side by bringing the fuel composition into contact with water. Take out.

  In this case, the water may be an aqueous fuel cell fuel solution. Further, heating is not particularly required for the contact between the fuel composition and water, and it may be performed at room temperature, but it may be heated to about 50 to 150 ° C.

  There is no particular limitation on the method for bringing the fuel composition into contact with water. For example, the fuel composition is filled in a container having a water inlet and a water outlet and capable of passing water inside, and the container is filled with the fuel composition. The method of passing water is mentioned. Moreover, the method of throwing in a fuel composition in a water tank and releasing a fuel may be used.

  The fuel released into the water from the fuel composition may be prepared by supplying a fuel aqueous solution having a concentration suitable for the intended use, for example, a fuel aqueous solution of about 1 to 64% by weight, and supplying the fuel cell.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to production examples and examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples as long as the gist thereof is not exceeded.

Production Example 1
BHC: methanol = 1 by dissolving 26.8 g (0.1 mol) of 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane (hereinafter abbreviated as “BHC”) in 50 ml of methanol and recrystallizing. A solid methanol clathrate compound having a methanol content of 11% by weight (1: 1 molar ratio) was obtained.

Production Example 2
41.4 g (0.1 mol) of 1,1,6,6-tetraphenylhexa-2,4-diyne-1,6-diol (hereinafter abbreviated as “TPHDD”) was dissolved in 100 ml of methanol and dissolved again. By crystallization, a solid methanol clathrate compound having a methanol content of 13% by weight with TPHDD: methanol = 1: 2 (molar ratio) was obtained.

Production Example 3
360 g (5 mol) of acrylic acid, 1.08 g of pentaerythritol triallyl ether and 1140 g of water were placed in a 2 liter adiabatic polymerization tank. The temperature of the monomer solution was cooled to 0 ° C., and the dissolved oxygen was reduced through nitrogen in the solution. Then, 0.36 g of 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride and 35 wt% excess were used as a polymerization initiator. 3.1 g of hydrogen oxide water and 0.38 g of L-ascorbic acid were added to initiate polymerization. After polymerization, the resulting hydrogel was subdivided using a meat chopper, and this gel was then subjected to 60 mg of 1,2,3,4-tetramethylimidazolinium cation methyl carbonate (molecular weight: 203). When 1353 g (4 mol) of a methanol solution (manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries) was added, it was observed that decarboxylation and demethanol occurred. The gel to which the imidazolinium cation was added was subjected to 100 ° C. hot air through the gel using a band-type dryer (air-permeable dryer, manufactured by Inoue Metal Co., Ltd.), and water and by-products used as a solvent. The methanol was distilled off and dried. The dried product was pulverized using a cutter mill to prepare a particulate crosslinked product having an average particle size of 400 μm, and 100 g of methanol was absorbed into 20 g of this to obtain a gel fuel composition.

Example 1
First, an electrolyte membrane / electrode assembly (MEA) was produced as follows. As the electrolyte membrane, Nafion, which is a perfluorosulfonic acid ion exchange membrane, was used. In addition, Pt particles were used as a supported catalyst and were supported on acetylene black in order to give electronic conductivity. The amount of Pt supported was 50% by weight with respect to acetylene black. This Pt-supported catalyst and a 5 wt% Nafion solution were mixed and sprayed onto the electrolyte membrane using a spray brush to adhere the electrode layer. The membrane with the electrode layer attached was dried in a dryer at 90 ° C. for 1 hour, then sandwiched between Teflon plates, and pressed with a hot press machine at 130 ° C. and 20 MPa for 30 minutes to join the electrolyte membrane and electrode. I let you.

  A direct methanol fuel cell system for supplying a methanol aqueous solution was assembled using the produced electrolyte membrane / electrode assembly (MEA) as shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, 1 is an electrolyte membrane, 2 is an electrode (anode), 3 is an electrode (cathode), 4 is a fuel composition tank, and 5 is a water tank.

The methanol clathrate compound produced in Production Example 1 is placed in the fuel composition tank 4, and water from the water tank 5 is supplied to the fuel composition tank 4 to bring the methanol clathrate compound into contact with water. Methanol was released to prepare a 20% by weight aqueous methanol solution, which was sent to the fuel absorber of the electrolyte membrane / electrode assembly. In this water tank 5, the recovered water used in the anode 2 and having a low methanol concentration may be circulated after being treated by the CO ₂ removing means. Further, water generated at the cathode 3 may be collected and supplied to the water tank 5.

  As a result, a methanol aqueous solution was stably supplied to the fuel cell, and power generation was possible with stable operation over a long period of time.

  The same was true when the methanol clathrate compound produced in Production Example 2 or the gel fuel composition produced in Production Example 3 was used as the fuel composition.

  From the above results, it can be seen that by bringing the fuel composition into contact with water, the fuel for the fuel cell can be easily released into the water and the fuel can be stably supplied to the fuel cell.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a method for releasing a fuel from a fuel composition for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, particularly a direct methanol fuel cell that is regarded as promising as a portable small fuel cell, but is not limited thereto. First, the present invention is applicable to the release of fuel from fuel compositions containing various fuel cell fuels.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fuel cell system manufactured in Example 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrolyte membrane 2 Electrode (Anode)
3 electrodes (cathode)
4 Fuel composition tank 5 Water tank

Claims (14)

  A method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition containing fuel for fuel cells, wherein the fuel is released into the water by contacting the fuel composition for fuel cells with water. A method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition.   2. The method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.   3. The method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the fuel cell is a direct methanol fuel cell.   4. The method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel cell is a portable small fuel cell.   The fuel cell fuel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fuel for the fuel cell is one or more selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, and acetals. A method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell.   6. The method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel composition for a fuel cell contains a molecular compound of a fuel for the fuel cell and a counterpart compound. .   7. The method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for fuel cells according to claim 6, wherein the molecular compound of the fuel for fuel cells is an inclusion compound formed from the fuel for fuel cells and a host compound.   8. The method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 7, wherein the host compound is supported on a porous material.   9. The fuel from the fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the host compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of an organic compound, an inorganic compound, and an organic / inorganic composite compound. Release method.   10. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the host compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of a monomolecular system, a polymolecular system, and a polymer host compound. For releasing fuel from a fuel composition for an automobile. The fuel cell fuel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel cell fuel composition comprises a crosslinked product (A) of the following polymer compound (1) and a fuel for the fuel cell. A method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition.
Polymer compound (1): a polymer compound obtained by polymerizing or copolymerizing a structural unit having a carboxyl group and / or a sulfonic acid group in the molecule (hereinafter referred to as “acidic group-containing structural unit (a)”). In the polymer compound (2) having a content of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) of 20 to 100% by weight, 30 to 100 mol% of protons of the carboxyl group and / or the sulfonic acid group Polymer compound substituted with onium cation   The method for releasing fuel from a fuel composition for a fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein the onium cation is a quaternary ammonium cation.   The fuel for a fuel cell according to claim 12, wherein the quaternary ammonium cation is one or more selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic ammonium cation, an imidazolinium cation, and an imidazolium cation. A method for releasing fuel from a composition.   The content of the acidic group-containing structural unit (a) contained in the polymer compound (2) is 40 to 100% by weight according to any one of claims 11 to 13, and the polymer compound (1 ) Is obtained by substituting 50 to 100 mol% of the protons of the carboxyl group and / or sulfonic acid group of the polymer compound (2) with an onium cation. Fuel release method.

Images