Battery Electrolyte Additives for Overcharge Heat Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable lithium batteries face safety concerns due to rapid heat generation and gas production during overcharging and high-temperature exposure, which can lead to cell explosions.

Innovation Solution

An electrolyte solution for rechargeable lithium batteries is developed, comprising a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive that includes a sulfoxide-based compound and another stabilizing compound, which together enhance safety under overcharge and heat exposure conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electrolyte solutions with organic solvents and lithium salts are used to achieve high ionic conductivity, then the battery exhibits high energy density and capacity, but the battery generates rapid heat and gas under overcharging and high temperature conditions, leading to safety issues such as cell explosions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidheat generation and gas production
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by introducing specific additive compounds (Formula 1 and Formula 2) with controlled concentrations (0.01-5 wt% and 0.01-3 wt% respectively). These parameter changes alter the thermal and electrochemical stability characteristics of the electrolyte, enabling it to suppress heat generation and gas production while maintaining ionic conductivity, thus resolving the safety contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining conventional organic solvents and lithium salts with specially designed additive compounds (Formula 1 and Formula 2). This composite formulation integrates the high ionic conductivity of conventional electrolytes with the thermal stability of the additive compounds, achieving both performance and safety requirements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the electrolyte solution includes organic solvents and lithium salts to transfer lithium ions, then ionic conductivity is significantly enhanced, but the battery exhibits poor safety performance under overcharging and heat exposure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety under overcharge and heat exposureVSAvoidionic conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the concentration parameters of additive compounds within specific ranges (Formula 1: 0.01-5 wt%, Formula 2: 0.01-3 wt%) to optimize the balance between ionic conductivity and safety. These parameter adjustments ensure that the electrolyte maintains sufficient ion transport capability while the additives provide thermal protection, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 electrolyte solution effectively reduces heating temperatures during overcharge and stabilizes the lithium salt at high temperatures, thereby improving the safety and cycle-life characteristics of the battery.

Implementation Method 1

the electrolyte solution plays a role in transferring lithium ions, and can exhibit significantly higher ionic conductivity by including organic solvents and lithium salts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the second compound... stabilizes the lithium salt within the electrolyte solution, thereby hindering or preventing the electrolyte solution from decomposing at high temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal stabilization:

Implementation Method 3

the first compound... reduces or suppresses the heating temperature of the battery under overcharge operating conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation:

Data Source

PatentEP4557425A1Electrolyte solution for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4557425A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4557425A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4557425A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrolyte solution for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt; and an additive, wherein the additive includes a first compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second compound represented by Chemical Formula 2.