Functionalized Boron Nitride Nanoparticles for High-Rate Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for energy storage devices with increased charge and discharge rates while maintaining high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities and capacities, which traditional Li-ion batteries do not adequately meet.

Innovation Solution

The use of covalently functionalized boron nitride nanoparticles in a porous, electrically and ionically conducting matrix within the electrodes of energy storage devices, allowing for enhanced electron and ion conductivity, and the incorporation of functionalized boron nitride or analogous materials as electroactive species to improve energy storage performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional Li-ion battery materials are used, then energy storage devices can operate with established technology, but charge and discharge rates are limited and cannot be increased further

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge and discharge ratesVSAvoidenergy density and capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of electrode materials by using functionalized boron nitride instead of traditional Li-ion intercalation materials. This parameter change enables significantly higher charge and discharge rates while maintaining comparable energy densities, directly resolving the technical contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials consisting of boron nitride nanoparticles functionalized with specific groups (such as -NO2, -CF3, -CN) embedded in a conductive matrix. This composite structure combines the high electron affinity of functionalized BN with the conductivity of the matrix, achieving both high charge/discharge rates and maintained energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If functionalized boron nitride materials are used as electroactive species, then charge and discharge rates increase, but the material complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge and discharge ratesVSAvoidmaterial structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrode material into discrete functionalized boron nitride nanoparticles embedded in a conductive matrix. This segmentation allows each nanoparticle to function independently with high electron affinity, while the matrix provides overall conductivity, simplifying the design compared to bulk functionalized materials and enabling high charge/discharge rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enables higher charge and discharge rates and comparable energy densities and capacities to traditional Li-ion batteries, with functionalized boron nitride materials acting as strong electron acceptors and enabling high voltage and energy density storage.

Implementation Method 1

The functionalized boron nitride materials are electrochemically reduced to enable the release of electrical energy during the discharge of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction:

Implementation Method 2

a porous, electrically and ionically conducting matrix contacting the positive electrode current collector, and covalently functionalized boron nitride nanoparticles embedded in the porous, electrically and ionically conducting matrix such that both electrons and ions are conducted to the functionalized boron nitride nanoparticles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction:

Implementation Method 4

at least one conductor ionically connecting the positive electrode to the negative electrode, wherein the conductor transports positive ions released by the negative electrode during a discharge cycle of the electrochemical energy storage device and absorbed by the negative electrode during a charge cycle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon transport:

Implementation Method 5

The functionalized boron nitride materials are electrochemically reduced to enable the release of electrical energy during the discharge of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS11552296B2Functionalized boron nitride materials as electroactive species in electrochemical energy storage devices

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 BORON NITRIDE POWER LLC

AI summary

There is provided an improved electrochemical energy storage device. The storage device includes using functionalized boron nitride nanoparticles as electroactive materials in the electrodes.