Battery Electrolytes Without Cyclic Carbonates for Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Batteries using layered nickel-rich lithium transitional metal oxides as electroactive positive electrode materials face thermal instability due to the reaction of oxygen radicals generated by Ni-rich oxide decomposition with cyclic organic carbonates, leading to undesirable heat generation.

Innovation Solution

Formulating electrolytes with alkyl alkanoates, ketones, and/or nitriles as primary organic solvents, eliminating the need for cyclic organic carbonates, which enhances ionic conductivity and improves thermal stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyclic organic carbonates are used in electrolytes, then ionic conductivity is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates due to exothermic reactions with oxygen radicals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes cyclic organic carbonates from the electrolyte composition entirely, replacing them with linear chain carbonates (DMC, DEC, EMC) and/or chain carbonitriles. This extraction eliminates the harmful exothermic reaction pathway while maintaining ionic conductivity through alternative solvent molecules with similar solvating capabilities but without the cyclic structure that reacts with oxygen radicals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the carbonate solvent from cyclic to linear chain configuration. By using linear chain carbonates (DMC, DEC, EMC) instead of cyclic carbonates (EC, PC), the molecular geometry is altered to prevent the formation of stable complexes with oxygen radicals, thereby eliminating the exothermic reaction while preserving the dielectric properties needed for ionic conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If nickel-rich lithium transitional metal oxides are used as electroactive material, then battery capacity is improved, but thermal instability increases due to oxygen radical generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidthermal instability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces linear chain carbonates and carbonitriles as intermediary substances that mediate between the nickel-rich oxide and the electrolyte system. These intermediaries solvate the oxygen radicals generated by Ni-rich oxide decomposition, preventing direct exothermic reactions while allowing the high-capacity nickel-rich material to function. The intermediary molecules act as radical traps or stabilizing agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful oxygen radicals generated by nickel-rich oxide into a beneficial or neutral state by using them to solvate with linear chain carbonate molecules instead of causing exothermic reactions. The oxygen radicals that would normally be harmful are now stabilized through coordination with the carbonyl or nitrile groups of the linear chain solvents, transforming a thermal instability risk into a stable solvated complex.

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 proposed electrolytes reduce the risk of heat generation by preventing exothermic reactions, maintaining high ionic conductivity, and enhancing the thermal stability of batteries with nickel-rich lithium transitional metal oxides.

Implementation Method 1

an ionically conductive electrolyte that provides a medium for the conduction of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes during discharge and charge of the batteries

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The electrolyte comprises an organic solvent and a lithium salt in the organic solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS20260031401A1Electrolytes comprising alkyl alkanoates, ketones, and/or nitriles as primary organic solvents for batteries that cycle lithium ions

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 GM GOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONSA LLC

AI summary

A battery that cycles lithium ions includes an electrolyte including an organic solvent and a lithium salt in the organic solvent. The organic solvent includes greater than or equal to 70 weight percent of a primary solvent including an alkyl alkanoate, ketone, nitrile, or a combination thereof. The electrolyte beneficially may be used in a battery that includes a positive electrode including an electroactive material including a layered nickel-rich lithium transitional metal oxide.