Aqueous Battery Partition With Solid Electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nonaqueous lithium secondary batteries face safety concerns due to flammability of organic solvents and high internal resistance, which increases production costs and defects in electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems, while aqueous solutions struggle with energy density and electrolysis issues.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery design featuring a partition with a solid electrolyte separating two aqueous electrolytes, one with an organic compound to suppress water electrolysis and corrosion, allowing for different pH levels to enhance charge-discharge efficiency and cycle life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an organic solvent electrolyte solution is used to achieve high electromotive force and energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the electrolyte from organic solvent-based to aqueous-based, while adjusting the pH parameter to create acidic or basic environments that prevent hydrogen evolution and enable stable operation at the required potential range, thus achieving both safety and energy density
2Reliability
If an aqueous electrolyte solution is used to improve safety, then the safety is improved, but the energy density deteriorates due to limited potential range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the operational potential range of aqueous electrolytes by utilizing extreme pH values (acidic or basic environments), enabling the battery to operate at potentials that achieve high energy density while maintaining the safety benefits of aqueous electrolytes
3Power
If a nonaqueous electrolyte solution is used to achieve high electromotive force, then the electromotive force is improved, but the internal resistance increases due to inferior electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pH parameter adjustment in aqueous electrolytes to enable operation at high potentials (comparable to nonaqueous systems) while maintaining the superior electrical conductivity of aqueous solutions, thus achieving high electromotive force without increased internal resistance
4Power
If lithium titanium oxide is used as negative electrode material to achieve high electromotive force in aqueous solution, then the electromotive force is improved, but the cycle life deteriorates due to hydrogen evolution and active material peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the aqueous electrolyte to acidic or basic environments, which suppresses hydrogen evolution reactions at the lithium titanium oxide negative electrode, preventing active material peeling and enabling stable long-term cycling while maintaining high electromotive force
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 battery achieves improved cycle life and storage performance by preventing water electrolysis and corrosion, maintaining high output characteristics while ensuring safety and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The partition contains a solid electrolyte having alkali metal ion conductivity
Implementation Method 2
The partition contains a solid electrolyte having alkali metal ion conductivity
Implementation Method 3
The first aqueous electrolyte includes an organic compound... preventing water electrolysis and corrosion
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a secondary battery is provided. The secondary battery includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a first aqueous electrolyte, a second aqueous electrolyte, and a partition having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The partition is positioned between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The first aqueous electrolyte is in contact with the first surface of the partition and the negative electrode. The second aqueous electrolyte is in contact with the second surface of the partition and the positive electrode. The partition contains a solid electrolyte having alkali metal ion conductivity. The first aqueous electrolyte includes an organic compound.