Battery With Segmented Electrolyte System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid electrolyte lithium ion batteries face high energy storage costs due to low gravimetric energy density and limited cycle life, with unilateral increases in energy density leading to safety issues like leakage and explosion, and existing electrolytes are not suitable for both cathodes and anodes, requiring specific catholytes and anolytes that are difficult to match and separate.
Innovation Solution
A battery design incorporating a porous film between the electrolyte film and anode, with distinct catholyte and anolyte separated by an electrolyte film, using a combination of oxide-based solid state inorganic electrolyte, specific solvents, and lithium salts optimized for different cathode and anode materials, including lithium oxides and metals, to enhance safety and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single liquid electrolyte is used for both cathode and anode, then the battery structure is simple, but the electrolyte cannot simultaneously match both electrodes leading to poor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The single liquid electrolyte system is segmented into two separate electrolyte systems (catholyte and anolyte) that are physically divided by a solid electrolyte membrane. This allows each electrolyte to be independently optimized for its corresponding electrode without compromising the other, resolving the compatibility issue while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A solid electrolyte membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the catholyte and anolyte. This membrane acts as a separator that enables ionic transport while preventing direct mixing of the two liquid electrolytes, thus allowing both electrolytes to coexist and function optimally with their respective electrodes.
2Quantity of substance
If energy density is unilaterally increased, then the energy storage capacity improves, but safety problems such as leakage, swelling, heating, and explosion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte system undergoes a parameter change from liquid to solid phase for the separator membrane. This solid electrolyte membrane has higher mechanical strength and thermal stability compared to liquid electrolytes, preventing leakage, swelling, and thermal runaway while maintaining high ionic conductivity for energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery employs a composite electrolyte system combining solid electrolyte membrane with liquid catholyte and anolyte. This composite structure leverages the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes for energy storage while the solid membrane provides mechanical integrity and safety, preventing harmful effects like leakage and explosion.
3Reliability
If catholyte and anolyte are separated by a film, then electrode compatibility is improved, but the film selection becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The solid electrolyte membrane is designed with a porous structure that facilitates ionic transport between electrodes while physically separating the catholyte and anolyte. The porous architecture allows lithium ions to pass through during charge-discharge cycles while preventing electrolyte mixing, thus simplifying the selection criteria to focus on pore size, conductivity, and mechanical properties.
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 design improves battery stability and cycle life by preventing catholyte and anolyte diffusion, reducing corrosion, and maintaining electrochemical performance, thereby addressing safety concerns and energy storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The anolyte and the catholyte are separated by the electrolyte film and are not in contact with each other
Implementation Method 2
The porous film is disposed between the electrolyte film and the anode. The anolyte is in the porous film between the electrolyte film and the anode
Data Source
AI summary
A battery is provided, which includes an anode and a cathode. The anode includes a first current collector and anode active material. The anode active material is lithium metal or lithium alloy. The cathode includes a second current collector and cathode active material. The battery also includes an electrolyte film disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a porous film disposed between the electrolyte film and the anode. The battery includes an anolyte in the porous film between the electrolyte film and the anode, and a catholyte between the electrolyte film and the cathode. The catholyte is different from the anolyte, and the anolyte and the catholyte are separated by the electrolyte film and are not in contact with each other.