Bacterial Cellulose-Chitosan Electrolyte for Stable Metal-Air Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary batteries face challenges in achieving high reliability, ionic conductivity, mechanical stability, and temperature stability, as well as improved charge/discharge capacity and longevity, particularly in metal-air batteries.
Innovation Solution
A solid state electrolyte composed of bacterial cellulose and chitosan, with oxidized surfaces and nitrogen-containing functional groups, is developed, allowing for high ionic conductivity and flexibility across varying temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid state electrolytes are used to improve reliability and energy density, then battery stability and safety are enhanced, but ionic conductivity and mechanical flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining bacterial cellulose (providing mechanical stability and reliability) with chitosan (enhancing ionic conductivity through hydroxyl and amine groups). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing both high reliability and high ionic conductivity to coexist in the solid state electrolyte.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the electrolyte by introducing oxidized surfaces on bacterial cellulose and nitrogen-containing functional groups on chitosan. These parameter changes enhance the ionic conductivity while maintaining the solid state structure, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ionic conductivity.
2Reliability
If solid state electrolytes are used to improve reliability, then battery safety is enhanced, but mechanical flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite of bacterial cellulose and chitosan creates a material that combines the mechanical strength of cellulose with the flexibility-enhancing properties of chitosan. The chitosan chains can move and adjust, providing flexibility while the overall composite maintains structural reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having different regions of the composite material serve different functions: bacterial cellulose provides the structural framework for reliability, while chitosan regions provide flexibility and ionic conduction pathways. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliability and mechanical flexibility.
3Productivity
If electrolyte composition is optimized for high ionic conductivity, then charge/discharge capacity is improved, but temperature stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bacterial cellulose-chitosan composite maintains temperature stability through the robust cellulose framework while allowing ionic conductivity to remain high through the chitosan component. The composite structure buffers against temperature variations, resolving the contradiction between charge/discharge capacity and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific chemical modifications (oxidized surfaces, nitrogen-containing groups) that create temperature-resilient ionic conduction pathways. These parameter changes allow the electrolyte to maintain high ionic conductivity across a wide temperature range, thus improving charge/discharge capacity without sacrificing temperature stability.
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 enhances the charge/discharge capacity and lifespan of metal-air batteries, maintaining high ionic conductivity and mechanical stability in both high and low temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
chitosan bound to the bacterial cellulose
Implementation Method 2
a surface of the bacterial cellulose, to which the chitosan is bound, may be oxidized
Data Source
AI summary
A solid state electrolyte is provided. The solid state electrolyte may include a base complex fiber having bacterial cellulose and chitosan bound to the bacterial cellulose.