Composite Gel Electrolyte for Flexible Battery Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current secondary batteries face challenges with liquid electrolytes due to degradation of electrode materials, safety risks, and mechanical weaknesses, while solid polymer electrolytes offer poor ionic conductivity and mechanical properties, necessitating a solid electrolyte with improved mechanical strength and ionic conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A composite electrolyte is developed using a plastic crystal matrix doped with an ionic salt and a crosslinked polymer structure, eliminating the need for solvents and enhancing mechanical strength and ionic conductivity, suitable for use in flexible battery designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolytes are used in electrochemical devices, then high ionic conductivity is achieved, but safety problems arise including fire, explosion, and leakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid gel form by incorporating polymer networks and plasticizers, thereby maintaining ionic conductivity while eliminating safety risks associated with liquid electrolytes such as leakage, fire, and explosion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gel polymer electrolyte system combining multiple components including polymers (PMMA, PEO), plasticizers (EC, PC, GVL), and lithium salts, where each component contributes specific properties to achieve both high ionic conductivity and enhanced safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solid polymer electrolytes are used to improve safety, then safety increases, but ionic conductivity and mechanical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting point of the polymer matrix by selecting specific polymers and plasticizers, thereby optimizing the balance between safety and ionic conductivity by enabling ion transport at operating temperatures while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized mobile phases within the gel structure where plasticizers and ionic liquids provide high ionic conductivity pathways, while the polymer matrix provides structural support and safety, achieving both requirements simultaneously in different regions of the electrolyte
3Reliability
If plastic crystal matrix electrolytes are used to achieve high ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity improves, but mechanical strength deteriorates due to flowability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of plastic crystal electrolytes (high ionic conductivity) with gel polymer electrolytes (good mechanical strength) by incorporating plastic crystal-forming compounds into the gel matrix, creating a hybrid system that exhibits both high ionic conductivity and adequate mechanical strength
4Strength
If linear polymer matrices are introduced to improve mechanical strength, then mechanical strength improves, but the electrolyte still cannot replace separators and requires additional drying processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the crosslinking density and molecular weight of the polymer matrix to achieve mechanical strength sufficient to replace separators, while the use of low-volatility plasticizers and optimized formulation eliminates the need for drying processes, simplifying the overall device structure
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 achieves high ionic conductivity comparable to liquid electrolytes and mechanical strength comparable to solid electrolytes, ensuring thermal stability and safety, making it suitable for flexible battery applications without the need for additional drying processes.
Implementation Method 1
Ionically conductive organic electrolytes predominantly used for conventional electrochemical devices based on electrochemical reactions are in the form of liquids in which salts are dissolved in non-aqueous organic solvents
Implementation Method 2
a crosslinked polymer structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed is an electrolyte for an electrochemical device. The electrolyte includes a composite of a plastic crystal matrix electrolyte doped with an ionic salt and a crosslinked polymer structure. The electrolyte has high ionic conductivity comparable to that of a liquid electrolyte due to the use of the plastic crystal, and high mechanical strength comparable to that of a solid electrolyte due to the introduction of the crosslinked polymer structure. Further disclosed is a method for preparing the electrolyte. The method does not essentially require the use of a solvent. Therefore, the electrolyte can be prepared in a simple manner by the method. The electrolyte is suitable for use in a cable-type battery whose shape is easy to change due to its high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength.