Lithium Battery Electrolyte Additives for High-Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary batteries face challenges in maintaining high-temperature performance and lifespan due to electrolyte decomposition and viscosity issues, with existing additives failing to completely prevent decomposition and ion conductivity reduction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating polyethyleneglycol diglycidylether into the electrolyte mixture, specifically with a composition of ethylene carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, lithium salt, vinylene carbonate, and propylene sulfone, to reduce decomposition reactions and ion conductivity issues at high temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyclic carbonates with high polarity are used to dissociate lithium ions, then ion conductivity is improved, but viscosity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion conductivityVSAvoidviscosity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cyclic carbonates (EC, PC) with linear carbonates (DMC, DEC, EMC) in a specific ratio to create an electrolyte mixture that achieves both high ion conductivity and low viscosity. The cyclic carbonates provide high polarity for lithium ion dissociation, while the linear carbonates reduce the overall viscosity of the mixture, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrolyte is formulated as a composite system containing multiple carbonate components (cyclic and linear) along with specific additives (vinylene carbonate, ethylene sulfite, propylene sulfone). This composite approach allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve high ion conductivity from the cyclic carbonates and low viscosity from the linear carbonates and additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If vinylene carbonate is added to form protection film, then electrolyte decomposition is inhibited, but it cannot completely prevent decomposition at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrolyte stabilityVSAvoiddecomposition at high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite additive system containing vinylene carbonate (0.01-5 wt%), ethylene sulfite (0.01-5 wt%), and propylene sulfone (0.01-5 wt%) together in the electrolyte. This combination of additives works synergistically to form a more robust protection film on electrodes and provide superior thermal stability compared to using vinylene carbonate alone, effectively preventing decomposition even at high temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The additives (vinylene carbonate, ethylene sulfite, propylene sulfone) act as intermediaries that form protective films on the electrode surfaces. These films serve as barriers that prevent direct contact between the electrolyte and electrodes, thereby inhibiting decomposition reactions. The sulfone compounds particularly enhance the thermal stability of this protective layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If EC is used to form stable protection film, then anode stability is improved, but EC shows increased activity at high temperature causing decomposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanode protection film stabilityVSAvoidhigh temperature decomposition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The electrolyte uses a composite formulation combining EC with linear carbonates (DMC, DEC, EMC) and additive compounds (vinylene carbonate, ethylene sulfite, propylene sulfone). This composite system maintains the beneficial film-forming properties of EC at the anode while the linear carbonates and sulfone additives suppress EC's high-temperature decomposition activity, allowing EC to function effectively across a wider temperature range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 significantly reduces gas generation, inhibits thickness swelling, and enhances safety by minimizing capacity reduction and performance deterioration, especially at elevated temperatures, while maintaining comparable performance to conventional batteries.

Implementation Method 1

The non-aqueous electrolyte is a medium through which the lithium ions move between the anode and the cathode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

such ester compound as an additive is decomposed at either an anode or a cathode and forms a film on a surface of the electrode so as to inhibit decomposition of the electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP2212965B1Lithium secondary battery containing additives for improved high-temperature characteristics
Publication Date: 2015.06.10 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2212965B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2212965B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2212965B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a secondary battery containing polyalkyleneglycol diglycidylether represented by formula I added in a predetermined amount to an electrolyte for the battery. The secondary battery containing the above additive exhibits remarkably improved high-temperature characteristics, prevents deterioration in rate characteristics and cycle characteristics, and considerably reduces thickness swelling of the battery so as to prevent battery leakage, ultimately enhancing safety of the battery.