Brominated Battery Electrolytes for Fire Suppression Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face safety concerns due to the use of flammable solvents in their electrolyte solutions, and existing flame retardants often compromise electrochemical performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of nonaqueous electrolyte solutions for lithium batteries that incorporate oxygen-containing brominated flame retardants, such as brominated monoesters and diesters, which are miscible and stable, effectively suppressing fires while maintaining minimal impact on battery performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flammable solvents are used in lithium-ion battery electrolyte solutions, then battery performance and conductivity are maintained, but safety and flammability resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flame retardant additives as intermediary substances that mediate between the flammable electrolyte solvent and the fire hazard. These additives (such as phosphorus-containing compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, or fluorinated compounds) dissolve in the electrolyte solution and act as chemical mediators that inhibit combustion reactions while maintaining the electrolyte's primary function of enabling lithium ion transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte solution by incorporating specific flame retardant substances at controlled concentrations (typically 0.1-5 wt%). This changes the fire resistance parameter of the electrolyte while maintaining acceptable ranges for conductivity and electrochemical stability, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and performance through parameter optimization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flame retardants are added to electrolyte solutions, then flammability is suppressed, but electrochemical performance and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flame retardant substances with specific local chemical properties - such as phosphorus-containing compounds that form protective films on electrode surfaces, or fluorinated compounds that provide localized fire inhibition. These additives exhibit different local qualities: they remain chemically inert during normal battery operation (maintaining electrochemical stability) but become active fire suppressants under combustion conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between fire resistance and electrochemical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining traditional electrolyte solvents (such as cyclic carbonates like EC, DEC, or cyclic carboxylic acid esters like PC) with flame retardant additives. This composite electrolyte material integrates the high conductivity and electrochemical stability of conventional solvents with the fire suppression capabilities of the flame retardant components, achieving both safety and performance requirements simultaneously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If flame retardants are included in electrolyte solutions, then fire suppression is achieved, but battery performance and conductivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flame retardant additives at partial concentrations (typically 0.1-5 wt% of the total electrolyte mass) rather than in stoichiometric or excessive amounts. This partial action approach provides sufficient fire suppression capability to meet safety requirements while minimizing the interference with lithium ion conductivity and electrochemical performance. The flame retardant concentration is optimized to be just enough to suppress flammability without excessively compromising battery performance.
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 solutions effectively extinguish fires in lithium-ion batteries under laboratory conditions and maintain electrochemical stability, ensuring safe operation with minimal degradation of battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
In the presence of the oxygen-containing brominated flame retardant(s), fires are extinguished in these nonaqueous electrolyte solutions
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides nonaqueous electrolyte solutions for lithium batteries. The nonaqueous electrolyte solutions comprise a liquid electrolyte medium; a lithium-containing salt; and at least one oxygen-containing brominated flame retardant.