Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Additives for Safety and Low-Temperature Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face issues with overcharge safety, gas generation during charging and discharging, and poor low-temperature performance due to the decomposition of electrolytes, leading to potential explosions and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of additives such as 1,3-propane sultone, succinic anhydride, ethenyl sulfonyl benzene, halobenzene, biphenyl, cyclohexylbenzene, and vinylene carbonate in the electrolyte to suppress solvent decomposition, reduce gas generation, and enhance electrochemical properties, improving overcharge safety and low-temperature performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional aqueous electrolyte solutions are used, then chemical stability and ease of manufacture are improved, but maximum voltage is limited to about 2V due to water decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the electrolyte from aqueous to non-aqueous organic solvents. This parameter change allows the battery to operate at voltages above 2V (up to 3-4V) by eliminating water decomposition limitations, while maintaining chemical stability through careful selection of electrochemically stable organic solvents with wide electrical potential windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite electrolyte systems combining multiple organic solvents (high dielectric constant solvents, low-viscosity solvents, and electrochemically stable solvents) with lithium salts and additives. This composite approach achieves both high voltage operation and chemical stability that cannot be obtained with single components.
2Quantity of substance
If electrolyte decomposition occurs during charging and discharging, then gas is generated increasing battery thickness, but electrical conductivity rate remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using additives that form protective films on electrode surfaces before significant electrolyte decomposition occurs. This preliminary film formation prevents subsequent gas-generating decomposition reactions while maintaining electrical conductivity through the stable interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additives as intermediary substances that mediate between the electrolyte and electrode surfaces. These intermediaries form stable interface layers that prevent direct electrolyte decomposition and gas generation, while still allowing efficient charge transfer to maintain electrical conductivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If over-charging or short-circuiting occurs, then dangerous conditions such as explosion can occur due to solvent flammability and evaporation, but heat stability remains poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using additives that preemptively form protective films on electrodes before dangerous conditions occur. These films prevent overcharge by blocking further lithium ion insertion, and prevent thermal runaway by creating thermal barriers, thus countering harmful effects before they manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of electrolyte decomposition into a beneficial protective film formation process. The controlled decomposition of additives creates stable interface layers that prevent uncontrolled decomposition and dangerous conditions, transforming a harmful process into a protective mechanism.
4Reliability
If small amounts of additives are added to improve electrical conductivity and cycling efficiency, then production costs do not significantly increase, but performance is substantially improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating additives at specific locations (electrode interfaces) where they are most needed. The additives form localized protective films and improve local electrical conductivity at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces, while requiring minimal overall quantities in the bulk electrolyte, thus not significantly increasing production costs.
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 additives effectively prevent overcharge-related issues, reduce battery thickness, and maintain high performance at both low and high temperatures, ensuring safety and efficiency by minimizing gas generation and enhancing electrochemical stability.
Implementation Method 1
The additives suppress the decomposition of solvents such as dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, butylene carbonate, and methyl ethylene carbonate
Implementation Method 2
Most newer lithium-ion batteries use carbon material for their negative electrodes. They use materials that can embed and detach lithium
Implementation Method 3
The electrolyte is an important component of a battery, greatly affecting its properties
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to additives for electrolytes of lithium ion secondary batteries that include one or more of the following: 1,3-propane sultone, succinic anhydride; ethenyl sulfonyl benzene, and halobenzene. It can also include biphenyl, cyclohexylbenzene; and vinylene carbonate. The weight of said 1,3-propane sultone is between 0.5 wt. % and 96.4 wt. %, said succinic anhydride is between 0.5 wt. % and 96.4 wt. %; said ethenyl sulfonyl benzene is between 0.5 wt. % and 95.2 wt. %; and said halobenzene is between 0.5 wt. % and 95.2 wt. % of the weight of the additive. Batteries with electrolytes containing said additives have improved over-charge characteristics and low temperature properties, and reduced gas generation during charging and discharging.