Carbon Nanoparticle Electrolyte Additive for Uniform Lithium Nucleation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal batteries face issues with lithium dendrite formation due to electrochemical instability and unbalanced lithium ion concentration, leading to safety concerns and performance decline.
Innovation Solution
An electrolyte additive composed of a 0-dimensional carbon nanoparticle anion and lithium cation forms a stable ionic compound, providing uniform nucleation sites for lithium ions and preventing dendrite formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If FEC (fluoroethylene carbonate) is used as electrolyte additive to form SEI layer containing LiF, then lithium dendrite formation is prevented, but battery performance declines due to generation of corrosive HF or CO2 gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte additive by replacing FEC with a fluorinated cyclic carbonate compound having specific molecular structure (formula 1), which alters the decomposition pathway to avoid HF and CO2 gas generation while maintaining LiF-containing SEI formation for dendrite prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harmful side reactions of FEC (producing corrosive gases) into beneficial effects by using the fluorinated cyclic carbonate compound that directs the electrochemical reactions toward forming protective LiF-containing SEI layer without generating harmful byproducts
2Reliability
If VC (vinylene carbonate) is used as electrolyte additive to form SEI layer, then lithium dendrite formation is prevented, but resistance at electrode interface increases due to generation of rigid poly-VC species
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters by using a fluorinated cyclic carbonate compound with specific ring structure and fluorine substitution, which produces a more flexible and ion-conductive SEI layer compared to rigid poly-VC, thereby reducing electrode interface resistance while preventing dendrite formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite SEI layer containing LiF and decomposition products of the fluorinated cyclic carbonate compound, combining the benefits of high LiF content for dendrite prevention with the flexible matrix structure that maintains low interfacial resistance
3Quantity of substance
If lithium metal electrode is used to achieve high energy density, then battery energy density increases, but electrochemical instability causes nonuniform lithium electrodeposition and dendrite formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluorinated cyclic carbonate compound as an intermediary substance that mediates between the lithium metal electrode and the electrolyte, forming a stable SEI layer that enables uniform lithium ion flux and prevents dendrite formation while allowing high energy density operation
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 electrolyte additive enhances lithium ion mobility, inhibits dendrite formation, and ensures high stability by forming a uniform solid-electrolyte interface, improving battery performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
provides uniform nucleation sites for lithium ions during charging due to the surface functional groups of 0-dimensional carbon nanoparticle anions
Implementation Method 2
FEC (fluoroethylene carbonate), VC (vinylene carbonate), etc., which form a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer containing LiF, have been commercialized as electrolyte additives to prevent the lithium dendrite formation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electrolyte additive for a lithium metal battery or a lithium-ion battery. Since the electrolyte additive for a lithium metal battery or a lithium-ion battery provides uniform nucleation sites for lithium ions, dendrite (lithium dendrite) formation can be inhibited and, thus, the performance and safety of a lithium metal battery or a lithium-ion battery can be improved.