Soft Solid Electrolytes via Boron Cluster Doping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state electrolytes for secondary batteries face challenges with ionic conductivity, as inorganic materials are hard and lack contact with electrodes, while organic materials have poor conductivity and rely on phase transitions that limit their applicability.
Innovation Solution
A method for synthesizing and optimizing soft solid electrolytes by doping a soft solid matrix with a metal salt, featuring a boron cluster anion and organic cation, resulting in a highly entropic, plastic-like structure that maintains high ionic conductivity without phase transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic solid-state electrolytes are used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical contact with electrodes deteriorates due to hardness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining organic cations with boron cluster anions to create a solid electrolyte that exhibits both high ionic conductivity and soft mechanical properties. The boron cluster anion (e.g., B12H12)2-) provides structural integrity while the organic cation component provides softness and flexibility, enabling the material to maintain contact with electrodes while conducting ions efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of solid electrolytes by introducing boron cluster anions with specific structural characteristics (icosahedral geometry, high symmetry) that fundamentally alter the material properties. This results in a solid electrolyte with elastic modulus <10 GPa and ionic conductivity >10^-10 S/cm, representing a parameter shift from traditional hard inorganic electrolytes to soft solid electrolytes.
2Ease of operation
If organic solid-state electrolytes are used, then contact with electrodes is improved, but ionic conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system where the boron cluster anion provides the ionic conductivity pathway while the organic cation ensures mechanical compatibility with electrodes. The specific combination of organic cation (e.g., pyrrolidinium, piperidinium derivatives) with (B12H12)2- anion creates a synergistic effect that overcomes the limitations of conventional organic electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designing the boron cluster anion with specific local structural features (icosahedral arrangement of boron atoms) that create favorable local environments for ion transport. The high symmetry and specific geometry of the boron cluster create localized regions with high ionic mobility while the overall material maintains soft mechanical properties.
3Reliability
If OIPC-based electrolytes are used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but temperature window deteriorates due to phase transition requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately avoids relying on solid-solid phase transitions for achieving high conductivity. Instead, the boron cluster-based solid electrolyte maintains high ionic conductivity (>10^-10 S/cm) in the solid state without requiring phase transitions, thereby eliminating the temperature window limitations associated with OIPC materials that depend on melting or phase changes for conductivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Soft solid-state electrolyte compositions for secondary electrochemical cell include a metal salt dispersed or doped in a soft solid matrix. Methods for synthesizing the compositions include doping a solid matrix with a metal salt. The matrix includes an organic cation and a first boron cluster anion. Methods for optimizing the electrolytes include construction of electrolyte libraries and screening of the libraries for a desired property.