Aerogel Core-Shell Electrolyte Additive for Lithium Battery Ignition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable lithium batteries face issues with electrolyte depletion and safety concerns, particularly at high temperatures, due to the reaction of commonly used lithium salts like LiPF6 with organic solvents, leading to degradation and poor safety performance.
Innovation Solution
An additive for lithium batteries is introduced, comprising a core of inorganic or carbon aerogel surrounded by a polymer shell with a melting point of 90-120°C, which enhances thermal stability and safety by controlling ignition and maintaining electrolyte impregnability without increasing battery resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LiPF6 is used as lithium salt in electrolyte, then high ionic conductivity is achieved, but thermal stability deteriorates due to reaction with organic solvent leading to gas generation and electrolyte depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic LiPF6 lithium salt from the electrolyte system and replaces it with alternative lithium salts that do not react with organic solvents, thereby eliminating gas generation and electrolyte depletion while maintaining ionic conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the lithium salt in the electrolyte, selecting salts with different thermal stability characteristics that prevent decomposition reactions with organic solvents at elevated temperatures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer shell with melting point of 90-120°C is used in additive, then thermal runaway is controlled and safety is improved, but battery resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the melting point parameter of the polymer shell within the specific range of 90-120°C, balancing the thermal protection function with electrical resistance characteristics to achieve safety improvement without excessive resistance increase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure combining polymer shell with specific melting properties and conductive materials, creating a core-shell additive that provides both thermal protection and acceptable electrical conductivity
3Temperature
If aerogel core is used in additive, then thermal conductivity is reduced and ignition control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested core-shell structure where aerogel core is enclosed within polymer shell, creating a hierarchical composite that achieves thermal protection while organizing complexity into manageable functional layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes aerogel, a highly porous material with exceptional thermal insulation properties, to create the core of the additive, achieving superior ignition control through its unique porous structure that traps heat and prevents thermal runaway
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The additive improves high-temperature cycle-life characteristics and safety of lithium batteries by effectively controlling thermal conductivity and ignition, while maintaining battery performance and preventing electrode short circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell includes a polymer having a melting point of 90 to 120 °C measured by DSC
Implementation Method 2
a core including aerogel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Provided are an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery, the electrolyte including a core including aerogel, and a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell includes a polymer having a melting point of about 90 to about 120 °C.