Borate Polymer-Ceramic Electrolytes for Flexible Li-Ion Separators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid state lithium battery separators, such as sintered ceramics and polymer-bound ceramic composites, face issues like fragility, uneven stress, high contact resistance, and low ionic conductivity, as well as electrochemical instability during repeated charging and discharging.
Innovation Solution
Development of borate salts that can be polymerized or bound to existing polymers to create single-ion-conductive binders for ceramic solid state electrolytes, enhancing mechanical flexibility and ionic conductivity while maintaining electrochemical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sintered ceramic separators are used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates (fragile, easily cracked)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining ceramic particles (for ionic conductivity) with a polymer binder matrix (for mechanical strength and flexibility). This creates a composite separator that integrates the advantages of both materials: the ceramic provides ion transport pathways while the polymer provides mechanical integrity and flexibility, resolving the contradiction between ionic conductivity and mechanical strength.
2Strength
If polymer-bound ceramic composites are used, then mechanical strength is improved, but ionic conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific regions within the polymer matrix where ceramic particles are concentrated or arranged to form continuous ion transport pathways. The polymer binder is formulated with specific composition and structure in different regions to optimize both mechanical support and ionic conductivity, allowing the material to exhibit both high strength and high ionic conductivity simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If sintered ceramic separators are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases (high sintering temperatures required)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameters by replacing the high-temperature sintering process with a lower-temperature polymerization or curing process. This parameter change allows for the formation of uniform composite separators without requiring complex high-temperature sintering equipment and processes, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving manufacturing precision through controlled polymer matrix formation.
4Ease of operation
If polymer-bound ceramic composites are used, then ease of operation is improved (flexibility), but ionic conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous materials by creating a porous structure within the polymer-ceramic composite where ceramic particles form interconnected networks or channels. This porous architecture provides pathways for efficient ion transport while the polymer matrix maintains flexibility. The porosity allows ions to move freely through the ceramic network without requiring high ionic conductivity from the polymer itself, thus maintaining both flexibility and ionic conductivity.
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 borate polymer-ceramic composites exhibit improved mechanical flexibility and significantly higher ionic conductivity, along with enhanced electrochemical stability under lithium battery operating conditions, addressing the limitations of existing separator materials.
Implementation Method 1
the borate salts... can be polymerized, or can be bound to an existing polymer, to provide polymeric binders for ceramic solid state electrolytes
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are borate salts useful as additives, binders, and electrolyte salts for solid state lithium ion batteries. In particular, the borate salts of Formula (I), Formula (II) and Formula (III) as described herein:can be bound to an existing polymer to provide polymeric binders for ceramic solid state electrolytes that are themselves capable of ion transport independent of the ceramic.