Lithium Battery Electrolyte Additive for High-Temperature Capacity Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary batteries face challenges with high-temperature performance, including capacity degradation, increased internal resistance, and swelling due to side reactions between the nickel-based lithium metal oxide cathode and the electrolyte.

Innovation Solution

The use of an electrolyte comprising an additive represented by Formula 1, an organic solvent, and a lithium salt, which forms a robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the electrode surface, thereby reducing gas generation and battery thickness increase, and improving lithium ion mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If nickel-based lithium metal oxide is used as cathode active material to achieve high capacity, then battery capacity is improved, but side reactions with electrolyte occur causing capacity degradation and increased internal resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidcapacity retention at high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specific additive compound (Formula 1) as an intermediary substance between the nickel-based cathode and the electrolyte. This additive forms a protective interface layer that mediates the interaction, preventing direct harmful side reactions while allowing beneficial lithium ion transport, thus resolving the contradiction between high capacity and capacity retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating the specific additive from Formula 1 with defined structural parameters (R1, R2, L1 groups). This parameter change in the electrolyte composition alters the interfacial properties between electrode and electrolyte, reducing side reactions while maintaining high capacity performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If repeated charging and discharging is performed to achieve high productivity, then battery output is improved, but damage to cathode surface accelerates causing deterioration in lifespan characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidlifespan characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The additive in Formula 1 performs preliminary protective action by forming a stable surface modification layer on the cathode before repeated charging/discharging cycles begin. This pre-formed protective layer prevents subsequent damage accumulation during high-speed cycling, thereby extending lifespan while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The additive acts as a mediator that enables high-speed charging by facilitating smooth lithium ion transport while simultaneously protecting the cathode surface from damage during repeated cycles, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If battery is placed in high-temperature environment to achieve rapid charge performance, then charging speed is improved, but swelling phenomenon and increase in internal resistance are accelerated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidhigh-temperature degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal stability parameters of the electrolyte system by incorporating the heat-resistant additive from Formula 1. This parameter change enables the battery to maintain stable chemical properties at high temperatures, allowing rapid charging without accelerating degradation or swelling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The additive serves as a thermal mediator that stabilizes the electrode-electrolyte interface at elevated temperatures during rapid charging, preventing harmful thermal side reactions while maintaining efficient charge transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrolyte composition is used to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but uniform output and capacity during repeated charging and discharging are not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrolyte composition simplicityVSAvoidoutput uniformity during cycling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating the specific additive from Formula 1 at defined concentration ranges. This parameter optimization achieves uniform output during cycling while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes, balancing ease of manufacture with performance stability

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

This configuration enhances high-temperature storage characteristics by maintaining capacity retention, reducing resistance and thickness increases, and improving rapid charge performance and lifespan capacity retention.

Implementation Method 1

The electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery may include: an additive which includes a compound represented by Formula 1 below; an organic solvent; and a lithium salt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation:

Implementation Method 2

improving lithium ion mobility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon mobility enhancement:

Data Source

PatentEP4539192A1Electrolyte for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including same
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 SK INNOVATION CO LTD
  • EP4539192A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4539192A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4539192A1 patent drawing

AI summary

According to exemplary embodiments, an electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery which includes an additive including a compound represented by a specific formula; an organic solvent; and a lithium salt may be provided. Thereby, the lithium secondary battery including the electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery may provide excellent high-temperature characteristics and other performances (e.g., initial resistance, rapid charge performance, room-temperature capacity characteristics, etc.).