Battery Electrolyte Composition With Brominated Flame Retardants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face safety concerns due to the use of flammable solvents in their electrolyte solutions, and existing flame retardants often compromise electrochemical performance or are costly.
Innovation Solution
The development of nonaqueous electrolyte solutions for lithium batteries that incorporate oxygen-containing brominated flame retardants, such as specific brominated benzenes and fluorobenzenes, which are miscible and stable, minimizing impact on battery performance while effectively suppressing fires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flammable solvents are used in lithium-ion battery electrolytes, then electrochemical performance is maintained, but safety is compromised due to fire hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces oxygen-containing brominated flame retardants as intermediary substances that mediate between the flammable electrolyte solvent and fire prevention. These flame retardants act as a protective layer that interferes with the combustion process while maintaining electrolyte functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and flammability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating specific oxygen-containing brominated compounds (such as brominated benzenes with alkoxy groups) that modify the fire properties of the electrolyte without significantly altering its electrochemical performance parameters, thereby achieving safety improvement while maintaining functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional flame retardants are added to electrolyte solutions, then fire suppression is achieved, but electrochemical performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing flame retardant molecules with specific local functional groups (alkoxy groups with particular chain lengths and structures) that are positioned at specific locations on the benzene ring. This localized structural design allows the flame retardant to perform its fire suppression function while minimizing interference with the bulk electrolyte's electrochemical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining conventional electrolyte solvents with oxygen-containing brominated flame retardants. This composite approach allows the system to benefit from both the electrochemical performance of the base electrolyte and the fire suppression capabilities of the flame retardant additive.
3Reliability
If effective flame retardants are incorporated into electrolytes, then fire safety is improved, but battery performance is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using small concentrations of oxygen-containing brominated flame retardants (typically 0.1-5 wt%) in the electrolyte solution. This partial incorporation is sufficient to achieve fire suppression while minimizing the negative impact on battery performance, avoiding the need for excessive amounts that would harm productivity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If flame retardants are added to electrolyte solutions, then flammability is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs relatively inexpensive brominated benzene derivatives with common alkoxy groups as flame retardants. These compounds can be synthesized through standard organic chemistry procedures using readily available starting materials, making them cost-effective compared to more complex flame retardant structures. The use of simple molecular structures reduces both synthesis and purification 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
These solutions effectively extinguish fires in lithium-ion batteries under laboratory conditions without significant degradation of electrochemical performance, meeting safety and cost-effectiveness criteria.
Implementation Method 1
For a flame retardant to be a suitable component of an electrolyte solution, solubility in the electrolyte is needed, along with electrochemical stability over the range of battery operation, and minimal negative effect on battery performance
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides nonaqueous electrolyte solutions for lithium batteries. The nonaqueous electrolyte solutions comprise a liquid electrolyte medium; a lithium-containing salt; and at least one oxygen-containing brominated flame retardant.