A system with novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract

A system (100) for improving the safety and performance of a lithium-ion battery, comprising the following: an electrolyte solution module containing a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent; a module with electrolyte additives configured to include the following: Thermal stabilizers to improve thermal stability; Flame retardants designed to reduce the risk of fire; Redox shuttles for stabilizing the voltage during overcharging; Surface modifiers configured to prevent the formation of dendrites on the anode.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to lithium-ion battery technology, particularly to a system that uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries.

[0002] Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are considered the preferred energy storage solution due to their high energy density, low weight, and long cycle life. These properties make them ideal for applications in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable energy storage. The electrolyte, which enables the movement of lithium ions between the anode and cathode, is a crucial component of the battery, directly impacting its performance, stability, and safety.

[0003] Conventional lithium-ion battery electrolytes typically consist of a lithium salt (e.g., LiPF6, LiBF4, or LiTFSI) dissolved in a mixture of organic solvents such as ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), or propylene carbonate (PC). While these electrolytes offer acceptable performance under normal operating conditions, they face critical challenges, particularly in high-temperature environments, during overcharging, or upon mechanical damage. These challenges can lead to the formation of hazardous byproducts, such as gassing, electrolyte degradation, and, in the worst case, thermal runaway or combustion.

[0004] In addition to these safety concerns, conventional electrolytes often struggle to maintain consistent electrochemical stability over a wide voltage range, resulting in shortened cycle life and reduced performance. In particular, high temperatures, excessive charging voltages, and mechanical stress can cause electrolyte failure, resulting in an increase in internal resistance, a reduction in battery energy efficiency, and potential safety risks.

[0005] Conventional lithium-ion battery electrolytes are susceptible to thermal instability, especially at high temperatures. When the battery is operated under extreme heat conditions or subjected to thermal stress (e.g., overcharging, rapid charging), the electrolyte can decompose and release toxic gases such as HF (hydrogen fluoride), which can corrode battery components and contribute to thermal runaway. This instability can lead to catastrophic failure, including fire or explosion, posing a significant safety risk.

[0006] Conventional electrolytes often degrade during long-term use, especially when exposed to high-voltage charging cycles. Electrolyte degradation can lead to the formation of undesirable byproducts such as lithium salts and other decomposition products, which increase internal resistance, reduce battery efficiency, and shorten its service life. This degradation is exacerbated in high-capacity batteries used in electric vehicles or large energy storage systems, where frequent and rapid charge / discharge cycles are required.

[0007] The organic solvents used in conventional electrolytes are highly flammable. In the event of a short circuit, internal short circuit, or thermal runaway, the battery may catch fire or explode due to the presence of volatile solvents. This flammability issue poses a significant safety risk, especially in applications such as electric vehicles or consumer electronics, where a malfunction can lead to hazardous situations.

[0008] Conventional electrolyte may not provide adequate protection against the formation of lithium dendrites during repeated charge and discharge cycles. Dendrites are needle-like structures of lithium metal that grow on the anode and potentially puncture the separator, causing internal short circuits. This phenomenon not only compromises the battery's safety but also leads to performance degradation and a shortened cycle life.

[0009] Conventional lithium-ion battery electrolytes are often susceptible to overcharging, which can lead to electrolyte breakdown, overheating, and the risk of thermal runaway. While some improvements have been made in overcharge protection through battery management systems (BMS), the electrolyte itself often lacks sufficient intrinsic stability to prevent damage in extreme overcharge scenarios.

[0010] Conventional electrolytes contribute to shortened battery life due to their tendency to degrade over time. The formation of an uneven solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the anode further exacerbates this problem, leading to inefficient ion transport and accelerated capacity decay, especially after numerous charge / discharge cycles.

[0011] To solve this problem, the present invention provides a system that uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries.

[0012] The system, which uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries, can improve the thermal stability of lithium-ion batteries by preventing electrolyte degradation at high temperatures and reducing the risk of thermal runaway or fire hazards when operating under extreme conditions.

[0013] The system, which uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries, can improve the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries by increasing the stability of the electrolyte over a wide voltage and temperature range, thus extending the battery life and ensuring consistent energy efficiency.

[0014] The system, which uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries, can reduce electrolyte degradation over multiple charge / discharge cycles, prevent the formation of undesirable byproducts, maintain electrolyte integrity, and thereby increase battery longevity.

[0015] The system, which uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries, can incorporate flame-retardant additives into the electrolyte, reducing the risk of ignition and combustion under high stresses such as overcharging, short circuiting, or mechanical damage, thus increasing the safety of lithium-ion batteries in various applications.

[0016] The system, which uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries, may contain additives that contribute to the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the anode, thereby preventing the growth of lithium dendrites and minimizing the risk of internal short circuits, which can lead to safety risks.

[0017] The system, which uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries, can stabilize the electrolyte during overcharging, thus preventing electrolyte breakdown, gassing and overheating, and ensuring safe battery operation in high-voltage situations.

[0018] The system, which uses novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries, can improve the cycle performance of lithium-ion batteries by minimizing capacity decay during repeated charge / discharge cycles, resulting in longer battery life and higher battery efficiency.

[0019] In one embodiment, a system comprising novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries is provided. The lithium-ion battery system that improves safety and performance by incorporating novel electrolyte additives. These additives include a thermal stabilizer to improve the thermal stability of the battery and reduce the risk of thermal runaway, a dendrite suppression additive to prevent the formation of lithium dendrites and improve battery longevity, a high-voltage stability additive to expand the electrochemical stability window and enable efficient operation at higher voltages, and a conductivity enhancer to improve ionic conductivity for faster charge and discharge cycles.These improvements result in a safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient battery system that can be used in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable energy storage.

[0020] The invention is explained again below with reference to the figure. It shows: Fig. : a system with novel electrolyte additives to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries.

[0021] Fig.shows a system with novel electrolyte additives for improving the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries. The system (100) for improving the safety and performance of a lithium-ion battery comprises an electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent or solvent mixture and one or more electrolyte additives selected from the group consisting of: thermal stabilizers to improve the thermal stability of the electrolyte at elevated temperatures; flame retardants to reduce the risk of fire or burns under extreme conditions; redox shuttles to stabilize the voltage during overcharging; and surface modifiers to improve the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) at the anode to prevent the formation of lithium dendrites. The thermal stabilizers consist of metal oxide nanoparticles.The thermal stabilizers are selected from the group consisting of TiO2, Al2O3, or similar metal oxide particles, which prevent electrolyte decomposition and improve thermal conductivity. The flame retardants include phosphorus-based or halogen-free flame retardants that reduce the flammability of the electrolyte and minimize the risk of combustion. The redox shuttle consists of a transition metal-based compound that stabilizes the battery voltage during overcharging, thereby preventing electrolyte degradation. The surface modifier comprises an organic compound that promotes the formation of a stable SEI layer on the anode, thereby reducing the risk of lithium dendrite growth and improving cycling stability. The electrolyte additives are present in the electrolyte solution in a concentration range of 0.5 to 5 wt.-%, ensuring optimal battery performance without compromising energy density. The electrolyte solution also contains an organic carbonate solvent selected from the group consisting of ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and propylene carbonate (PC), which ensures stable ionic conductivity over a wide temperature range. The electrolyte additives work synergistically to improve battery safety and performance by reducing thermal degradation, suppressing the risk of fire, stabilizing voltage, and preventing dendrite formation. The electrolyte solution is designed to function effectively in a wide range of lithium-ion battery chemistries, including batteries used in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable energy storage devices.

[0022] Improving the safety and performance of a lithium-ion battery involves preparing an electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent; incorporating one or more electrolyte additives selected from the group consisting of thermal stabilizers, flame retardants, redox shuttles, and surface modifiers into the electrolyte solution; and incorporating the electrolyte solution containing the electrolyte additives into a lithium-ion battery to improve thermal stability, reduce fire risk, increase overcharge resistance, and prevent the formation of lithium dendrites. The concentration of the electrolyte additives ranges from 0.5 to 5 wt.%, thereby optimizing the performance of the additive while maintaining the battery's energy density.The thermal stabilization additive improves battery performance at high temperatures, prevents the release of harmful gases, and enhances battery safety during high-rate charge / discharge cycles. The electrolyte solution is compatible with existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes and can be integrated into current production lines or battery designs without significant changes. The electrolyte additives effectively reduce the formation of byproducts and gases in the electrolyte and maintain the long-term stability and safety of the battery over multiple charge / discharge cycles. List of reference symbols 100 systems

Claims

[1] A system (100) for improving the safety and performance of a lithium-ion battery, comprising: an electrolyte solution module containing a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent; a module with electrolyte additives configured to include: thermal stabilizers to improve thermal stability; Flame retardants designed to reduce the risk of fire; Redox shuttles to stabilize the voltage in case of overcharging; Surface modifiers configured to prevent the formation of dendrites on the anode. [2] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte additives are contained in a concentration range of 0.5 to 5 wt%. [3] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte solution contains a solvent mixture selected from ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, or propylene carbonate. [4] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the battery integration module integrates the electrolyte solution and the additives into a lithium-ion battery to improve safety and performance. [5] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the performance monitoring module monitors battery temperature and voltage to ensure optimal battery operation and activate the additives as needed. [6] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the additives act synergistically to increase battery safety by preventing thermal degradation, suppressing fire risk, stabilizing voltage, and preventing dendrite formation.

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