Chaotropic Electrolyte Composition for Wider Potential Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous electrolyte solutions have narrow potential windows, limiting their energy density and cycle characteristics, while non-aqueous electrolyte solutions face challenges with high raw-material costs and availability of specialized compounds.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating chaotropic additives with electrolyte salts in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte solutions to increase electrolyte concentration beyond saturation, thereby extending potential windows and improving characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a concentrated aqueous electrolyte solution is used to extend the potential window, then the potential window is extended by an increase in the number of water molecules coordinated with cations, but the solubility of the electrolyte salt is limited and cannot be further increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte solution by introducing chaotropic additives (urea, thiourea, acetamide, trifluoroacetamide, 1,1-dimethylurea, guanidium, or guanidium salts) to modify the solvation structure and increase electrolyte salt solubility beyond conventional saturation limits, thereby enabling further potential window extension
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining water, electrolyte salt, and chaotropic additive components that work synergistically to achieve enhanced solubility and extended potential window, where the chaotropic additive modifies the overall properties of the electrolyte solution
2Use of energy by moving object
If non-aqueous electrolyte solutions are used to achieve high energy, then energy density is improved, but raw-material costs and availability of specialized compounds increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive non-aqueous electrolyte components with inexpensive aqueous components combined with cheap chaotropic additives (such as urea and thiourea that are easily available), achieving comparable or superior performance at lower material costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of electrolyte type from non-aqueous to aqueous-based with chaotropic additives, utilizing inexpensive and readily available materials to achieve high energy density while improving ease of manufacture
3Reliability
If aqueous electrolyte solutions are used for electrochemical devices, then economy and safety are improved, but potential windows are very narrow compared to non-aqueous systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrochemical parameters of aqueous electrolyte solutions by incorporating chaotropic additives, which modify the solvation shell structure and enable stable operation at higher potentials, thereby extending the potential window while maintaining the safety and economy of aqueous systems
Solution Approach 2:
The chaotropic additive acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the electrolyte salt and water molecules, modifying their interaction to enable extended potential window while preserving the inherent safety advantages of aqueous electrolyte solutions
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 approach results in aqueous electrolyte solutions with wider potential windows and improved cycle characteristics, and non-aqueous electrolyte solutions with higher energy density using inexpensive and easily available materials.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating chaotropic additives with electrolyte salts in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte solutions to increase electrolyte concentration beyond saturation
Implementation Method 2
the potential window is extended by an increase in the number of water molecules coordinated with cations
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
There are provided an aqueous electrolyte solution having an extended potential window, in particular, an aqueous electrolyte solution whose potential window is further wider than those exhibited by conventional concentrated aqueous electrolyte solutions, and an aqueous electrolyte solution in which the cycle characteristics can be improved. A non-aqueous electrolyte solution capable of achieving a higher energy density is provided, the non-aqueous electrolyte solution containing easily available and inexpensive materials and having further improved characteristics. One aqueous electrolyte solution of the present embodiment contains a salt of at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, potassium and lithium, and a chaotropic additive. One other non-aqueous electrolyte solution of the present embodiment contains a salt of at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, potassium and lithium, and a chaotropic additive.