Air Battery With Solid Electrolyte Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air batteries face issues with electrolyte volatility, humidity-induced degradation, and reduced lithium ion conductivity, leading to shortened battery life and poor high-current discharge characteristics due to the use of organic solvents and ionic liquids, as well as limitations with solid electrolytes in oxygen dissolution and rechargeability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a nonaqueous electrolyte air battery design featuring a solid electrolyte layer with lithium ion conductivity between the positive and negative electrodes, using a nonvolatile ionic liquid for the positive electrode and an organic solvent for the negative electrode, which prevents electrolyte mixing and maintains conductivity, thereby enhancing durability and charge-discharge performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organic solvent is used as nonaqueous electrolyte, then lithium ion conductivity is improved, but electrolyte volatility increases and battery life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrolyte by using an ionic liquid instead of conventional organic solvents. The ionic liquid has negligible vapor pressure and high thermal stability, fundamentally changing the volatility parameter while maintaining ionic conductivity through its liquid state and ion mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite electrolyte system combining ionic liquid with specific additives and uses composite electrode structures with catalysts. This composite approach enhances the overall stability and conductivity while preventing the harmful effects of pure organic solvents.
2Loss of substance
If ionic liquid is used as nonaqueous electrolyte, then electrolyte volatility is reduced, but lithium ion conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the ionic liquid composition by selecting specific cation-anion combinations and adjusting viscosity parameters. The chosen ionic liquid has optimized molecular structure that reduces interionic attraction and enhances ion mobility, thereby improving conductivity while retaining low volatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system where ionic liquid is combined with conductive additives and optimized electrode interfaces. This composite structure provides pathways for lithium ion transport, compensating for the inherently lower conductivity of pure ionic liquids.
3Stability of the object's composition
If solid electrolyte is used, then electrolyte stability is improved, but oxygen dissolution capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from solid to liquid (using ionic liquid), which fundamentally alters the dissolution capability. Liquid ionic electrolytes provide molecular-level mixing and solvation sites that enable oxygen dissolution, unlike rigid solid electrolyte structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite system where ionic liquid electrolyte is combined with porous electrode structures and catalysts. This composite architecture provides both the stability of controlled chemistry and the oxygen dissolution capability through liquid-phase interaction and porous surface areas.
4Productivity
If water-based electrolyte is used for positive electrode, then discharge reaction is improved, but battery rechargeability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from water-based to ionic liquid-based electrolyte. This fundamental chemical change eliminates water-related side reactions and decomposition that prevent rechargeability, while the ionic liquid maintains ionic conductivity necessary for discharge reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite electrode materials with catalysts designed to work specifically with ionic liquid electrolytes. These composite structures facilitate efficient oxygen reduction and lithium ion transfer, achieving high discharge performance without the limitations of water-based systems.
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
This configuration improves the air battery's durability, allows for charging, and enhances high-current charge and discharge characteristics by preventing electrolyte volatilization and decomposition, while maintaining lithium ion conductivity and reversibility.
Implementation Method 1
a solid electrolyte layer which is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and has lithium ion conductivity
Implementation Method 2
using a nonvolatile ionic liquid for the positive electrode... preventing electrolyte volatilization and decomposition
Implementation Method 3
oxygen is dissolved in the electrolyte and reacts with lithium ions to form lithium oxide
Implementation Method 4
The lithium/oxygen organic electrolyte battery comprises a positive electrode containing MnO2 and carbon black, a negative electrode formed of lithium... a nonaqueous electrolyte which is immersed in the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an air battery includes a case, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a first nonaqueous electrolyte, a second nonaqueous electrolyte, a solid electrolyte layer and a hole. The first nonaqueous electrolyte is permeated into the positive electrode and includes an ionic liquid. The second nonaqueous electrolyte is permeated into the negative electrode and includes an organic solvent. The solid electrolyte layer is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and has lithium ion conductivity.