Benzene-bis(dithioic) Acid Derivatives for Battery Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries face challenges such as high costs, reduced energy density, and instability issues, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles and photovoltaic applications, due to the need for large quantities of conventional conductors and inadequate redox potential.
Innovation Solution
The use of compounds with a specific formula, such as (1,4-benzene)-bis-lithium bisdithioate, which offer improved chemical, thermal, and electrochemical stability, high redox potential, and enhanced electronic and ionic transport properties, potentially reducing the reliance on conventional conductors and binders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conductive materials like carbon black are used in large quantities to enable electron extraction from active material, then electrical conductivity is improved, but mass and volume energy density deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conductive polymer as an intermediary material that bridges the active material and conventional conductors. This polymer layer facilitates electron extraction from the active material while requiring significantly less conductor content than conventional approaches, thereby improving energy density without sacrificing electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrode by incorporating conductive polymers with specific molecular structures and properties. This parameter change enables the system to achieve adequate electrical conductivity with reduced conductor content, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and energy density
2Reliability
If large quantities of conventional conductors are added to active material, then electrical percolation is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive polymer serves as a cost-effective intermediary that provides the necessary electrical percolation pathway. By using this polymer mediator, the patent reduces the quantity of expensive conventional conductors needed, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining adequate electrical percolation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs conductive polymers that can be synthesized at lower cost compared to conventional conductive materials. These polymers provide the necessary electrical pathways without requiring the expensive materials traditionally used, making the overall electrode manufacturing more cost-effective
3Strength
If additional binders are used to ensure adhesion of polymer material to current collector, then mechanical strength is improved, but mass energy density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the conductive polymer and the binder by designing a system where the conductive polymer itself provides adequate adhesion to the current collector. This merging eliminates or reduces the need for separate binder materials, thereby improving mass energy density while maintaining mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive polymer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing electrical conductivity, ensuring adhesion to the current collector, and contributing to mechanical strength. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized materials, improving energy density
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
These compounds enable the creation of electrodes with improved flexibility, stability, and performance, potentially lowering production costs and increasing energy density while maintaining mechanical strength and adhesion to current collectors.
Implementation Method 1
These lithium electrochemical generators conventionally operate on the principle of insertion or deinsertion (or intercalation-deintercalation) of lithium on at least one electrode
Implementation Method 2
the compounds according to the invention... have improved electronic and ionic transport properties... and also have a high redox potential
Implementation Method 3
the compounds according to the invention... offer improved chemical, thermal, and electrochemical stability, high redox potential, and enhanced electronic and ionic transport properties
Implementation Method 4
the compounds according to the invention... offer improved chemical, thermal, and electrochemical stability, high redox potential, and enhanced electronic and ionic transport properties
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention concerns the use, as an active electrode material, of compounds comprising at least one entity of formula (I): in which the phenyl group is substituted with one to four identical or different substituent(s) R, chosen from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom chosen from fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, a -C(=S)-S-C+ group, an -O-C+ group, an -S-C+ group, C+ being an alkali cation chosen from Li+, Na+ and K+, a (C1-C12) alkyl radical, a (C2-C12) alkenyl radical, a (C6-C14) aryl or heteroaryl radical; or two vicinal substituents R that can, if appropriate, be linked to each other to together form a 3- to 7-membered ring optionally including another heteroatom chosen from N, O or S; in the base or salt form; and the tautomeric forms of same. It also concerns an electrode material, an electrode and a lithium, sodium or potassium secondary battery, obtained from these compounds.