Battery Electrolyte Composition to Inhibit Thermal Runaway

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion batteries with nickel-rich cathodes are prone to thermal runaway due to structural collapse at elevated temperatures, leading to oxygen radical reactions and combustion.

Innovation Solution

An electrolyte composition comprising a primary salt, a high-HOMO salt, and a solvent mixture, including fluorinated components, is used to form stable solid-electrolyte and cathode-electrolyte interfaces, trapping oxygen radicals and inhibiting exothermic reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If nickel-rich cathode materials are used to increase energy density, then battery capacity is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates due to structural collapse at elevated temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery energy densityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mediator substance (electrolyte additive containing fluorinated cyclic carbonate and lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate) that acts as an intermediary between the nickel-rich cathode and the main electrolyte. This mediator forms a protective interface layer on the cathode surface that prevents direct contact and harmful reactions between the cathode material and electrolyte, thereby maintaining thermal stability while preserving high energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite electrolyte system combining multiple components: fluorinated cyclic carbonate (FCC), lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB), and conventional carbonate solvents. This composite electrolyte formulation creates a synergistic effect where FCC provides thermal stability and LiDFOB forms protective interfacial layers, enabling the battery to maintain both high energy density and thermal safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If conventional electrolyte compositions are used to maintain good electrochemical performance, then ion conductivity is improved, but thermal runaway risk increases due to exothermic reactions at elevated temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion conductivityVSAvoidthermal runaway risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating fluorinated cyclic carbonate (FCC) with specific molecular structure and lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) at optimized concentrations (0.1-1.0 wt%). These parameter changes alter the thermal decomposition behavior and reaction pathways of the electrolyte, raising the thermal runaway temperature and reducing exothermic reaction intensity while preserving ion conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts potentially harmful exothermic reactions into beneficial protective mechanisms. The fluorinated additive components undergo controlled reactions at elevated temperatures to form stable protective layers on the cathode surface, which then prevent more severe thermal runaway reactions. The harmful thermal energy is thus converted into a beneficial protective interface formation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 composition effectively inhibits thermal runaway and combustion, maintaining performance characteristics comparable to existing electrolytes while enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

The secondary salt is also configured to form a solid-electrolyte interphase on the anode and a cathode-electrolyte interphase on the cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolid-electrolyte interphase formation:

Implementation Method 2

trapping oxygen radicals and inhibiting exothermic reactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical trapping:

Implementation Method 3

The primary salt is configured to facilitate ion movement between the anode and the cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

the fluorinated solvent component is configured to inhibit side-reactions and consumption of the electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical stabilization:

Data Source

PatentUS20250364584A1Electrolyte composition for inhibiting thermal runaway of battery cells

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and compositions for an electrolyte that inhibits thermal runaway are disclosed. For example, an electrochemical cell may include an anode, a cathode, and the electrolyte. The anode includes a lithiated silicon oxide material, the cathode includes a nickel-rich material, and the electrolyte is formed from an electrolyte mixture. The electrolyte mixture includes a primary salt, a secondary salt, and a solvent. The primary salt is configured to facilitate ion movement between the anode and the cathode. The secondary salt is a high-HOMO salt. The secondary salt is also configured to form a solid-electrolyte interphase on the anode and a cathode-electrolyte interphase on the cathode. The solvent includes a cyclic solvent component, a linear solvent component, and a fluorinated solvent component.