Compressed Gas Electrolytes for High-Voltage Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrolytes in electrochemical energy storage devices have limited voltage ratings due to solvent instability at high voltages, leading to breakdown, increased resistance, and reduced charge storage capacity, which hinders the development of higher energy density devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of compressed gas solvents mixed with salts to form electrolytes, maintained under pressure to remain in a liquid phase, providing wide electrochemical potential windows, high conductivity, and improved solid electrolyte interfaces (SEI) formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional liquid electrolytes are used, then the device can operate at standard conditions, but the voltage rating is limited due to solvent breakdown at high voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from liquid to compressed gas phase. This parameter change allows the electrolyte to operate at higher voltages without breakdown, as the compressed gas state provides greater electrochemical stability while maintaining ionic conductivity through pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite electrolyte systems combining compressed gas solvents with specific salt compounds. This composite approach creates an electrolyte that leverages the high voltage stability of compressed gases while adding ionic conductivity through dissolved salts, resolving the contradiction between voltage tolerance and electrical functionality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the electrolyte voltage rating is increased to improve energy density, then higher energy storage is achieved, but the electrolyte solvent breaks down and resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the electrolyte from liquid to compressed gas phase, the patent enables operation at higher voltages that correspond to higher energy density, while the compressed gas state inherently resists breakdown and maintains lower resistance even at these elevated voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed gas electrolyte provides a stable, high-voltage-resistant environment before electrochemical reactions occur. This pre-established stable environment cushions against voltage-induced breakdown, allowing the system to safely operate at higher energy density levels without suffering from solvent degradation.
3Reliability
If compressed gas solvents are used, then wide electrochemical potential windows and high oxidation resistance are achieved, but the device requires pressurized environment to maintain liquid phase
Solution Approach 1:
The compressed gas electrolyte system serves multiple functions: it provides high voltage stability, wide electrochemical potential windows, oxidation resistance, and maintains liquid phase through its own vapor pressure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional complex pressurization systems, as the electrolyte itself contributes to the pressure maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed gas electrolyte is self-sufficient in maintaining the required pressurized environment. The solvent's high vapor pressure allows it to self-generate the necessary pressure to remain in liquid phase, eliminating or reducing the need for external mechanical pressurization systems and 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
Enables higher voltage operation, enhanced ionic conductivity, and improved accessibility to nanopores, facilitating higher energy density in batteries and supercapacitors, as well as enabling electroplating of difficult-to-deposit metals.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed gas solvent which has a vapor pressure above atmospheric pressure of 100 kPa at room temperature of 293.15 K. Hence, without a proper pressurized environment, such a compressed gas solvent is often in gas phase, which is not suitable for forming electrolytes.
Implementation Method 2
disclosed electrolytes are based on 'compressed gas solvents' mixed with various salts, referred to as 'compressed gas electrolytes.'
Implementation Method 3
conductive electrolytes, such as ionically conductive electrolytes, which may be used in electrochemical energy storage devices
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are novel electrolytes, and techniques for making and devices using such electrolytes, which are based on compressed gas solvents. Unlike conventional electrolytes, disclosed electrolytes are based on “compressed gas solvents” mixed with various salts, referred to as “compressed gas electrolytes.” Various embodiments of a compressed gas solvent include a material that is in a gas phase and has a vapor pressure above an atmospheric pressure at room temperature. The disclosed compressed gas electrolytes can have wide electrochemical potential windows, high conductivity, low temperature capability and/or high pressure solvent properties. Examples of a class of compressed gases that can be used as solvent for electrolytes include hydrofluorocarbons, in particular fluoromethane, difluoromethane, tetrafluoroethane, and pentafluoroethane. Also disclosed are battery and supercapacitor structures that use compressed gas solvent-based electrolytes and techniques for constructing such energy storage devices. Techniques for electroplating difficult-to-deposit materials using compressed gas electrolytes as an electroplating bath are also disclosed.