Bipolar Electrode Quasi-Solid Electrolyte for Flame-Resistant Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries face safety concerns due to thermal runaway and explosion risks from organic liquid electrolytes, and existing solid-state electrolytes have limitations such as low conductivity, high interfacial impedance, and poor mechanical properties, which hinder the development of safe and efficient bipolar lithium batteries.
Innovation Solution
A bipolar electrode with a current collector coated with graphene or expanded graphite, featuring a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte made from a polymerization product of a reactive additive comprising a polymerizable liquid solvent, an initiator, and a lithium salt, which reduces flammability and interfacial impedance while maintaining high lithium ion conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organic liquid electrolytes are used in lithium batteries, then high lithium ion conductivity is achieved, but thermal runaway and explosion risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid by using polymer matrices (such as PEO, PAN, PMMA) combined with lithium salts. This parameter change eliminates the flammability issue inherent in liquid electrolytes while maintaining ionic conductivity through the solid polymer structure. The solid electrolyte membrane replaces the liquid electrolyte completely, fundamentally changing the safety profile of the battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining polymer matrices with lithium salts (such as LiClO4, LiBF4, LiPF6) to create solid electrolytes. These composite solid electrolytes integrate the structural benefits of polymers with the ionic conductivity of lithium salts, achieving both safety and performance requirements. The composite structure allows tuning of properties by varying the polymer-lithium salt ratio and composition.
2Reliability
If inorganic solid-state electrolytes are used, then high conductivity is achieved, but interfacial impedance and brittleness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polymer matrices with lithium salts to create solid electrolytes. These composite solid electrolytes integrate the structural benefits of polymers with the ionic conductivity of lithium salts, achieving both safety and performance requirements. The composite structure allows tuning of properties by varying the polymer-lithium salt ratio and composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid by using polymer matrices (such as PEO, PAN, PMMA) combined with lithium salts. This parameter change eliminates the flammability issue inherent in liquid electrolytes while maintaining ionic conductivity through the solid polymer structure. The solid electrolyte membrane replaces the liquid electrolyte completely, fundamentally changing the safety profile of the battery system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional solid-state electrolytes are used, then fire resistance is improved, but lithium ion conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polymer matrices with lithium salts to create solid electrolytes. These composite solid electrolytes integrate the structural benefits of polymers with the ionic conductivity of lithium salts, achieving both safety and performance requirements. The composite structure allows tuning of properties by varying the polymer-lithium salt ratio and composition.
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 solution provides a safe, flame-resistant, and high-performing bipolar lithium battery with reduced flammability, improved lithium ion conductivity, and enhanced mechanical properties, addressing the safety and efficiency concerns of previous battery technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive, wherein the reactive additive comprises (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable
Data Source
AI summary
A bipolar electrode for a lithium battery, the bipolar electrode comprising: (a) a current collector comprising a conductive material foil having two opposing primary surfaces, wherein one or both of the primary surfaces is optionally coated with a layer of graphene or expanded graphite material having a thickness from 5 nm to 50 μm; and (b) a negative electrode layer and a positive electrode layer respectively disposed on the two primary surfaces, wherein the positive electrode layer comprises a mixture of particles of a cathode active material and a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte and the electrolyte comprises a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive, wherein the reactive additive comprises (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator or curing agent, and (iii) a lithium salt. Also provided is a bipolar battery comprising a plurality of bipolar electrodes connected in series.