Conjugated Polymer Solid Electrolyte for Room-Temperature Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymer solid electrolytes have low room-temperature conductivity, high interface impedance, and are difficult to process, limiting their commercialization in lithium batteries.
Innovation Solution
A polymer solid electrolyte composed of conjugated and non-conjugated units/chain segments, with a general formula R-(A n -B m ) k -R, where A n is a conjugated unit and B m is a non-conjugated unit, enhances ionic conductivity and reduces electronic conductivity, allowing for easy processing and high thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional polymer solid electrolyte is used, then easiness in process molding and low interface impedance are achieved, but conductivity at room temperature is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite polymer structure combining conjugated units (providing ion conduction pathways) with non-conjugated units (maintaining polymer flexibility and processability). This composite approach at the molecular level enables the electrolyte to achieve both high room-temperature conductivity and ease of manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the polymer by introducing conjugated units with delocalized electrons, which fundamentally changes the ion transport mechanism from purely segmental motion to include electron-mediated conduction. This parameter change enables high conductivity at room temperature while maintaining the polymer's inherent processability.
2Reliability
If sulfide solid electrolyte is used, then high conductivity at room temperature is achieved, but intrinsic stability is poor and production requirements are strict
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unstable sulfide-based conduction mechanism with a polymer-based conjugated system that offers comparable conductivity but superior stability. The conjugated polymer structure provides a stable, reusable conduction pathway that does not degrade under operating conditions, effectively substituting the short-lived unstable sulfide electrolyte with a durable alternative.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters from sulfide-based inorganic electrolyte to conjugated polymer electrolyte, fundamentally altering the stability characteristics while maintaining high conductivity. The delocalized electron system in conjugated polymers provides both high ion transport capability and chemical stability, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and stability.
3Reliability
If oxide solid electrolyte is used, then good ionic conductivity is achieved, but interface impedance is very large due to hardness and brittleness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible polymer-based conjugated electrolyte that can be processed into thin, conformal films with excellent interfacial contact. Unlike rigid oxide electrolytes, the polymer matrix can adapt to electrode surfaces, eliminating voids and contact resistance, thereby achieving low interface impedance while maintaining high ionic conductivity through the flexible thin-film structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite polymer structure where conjugated units provide ion conduction pathways similar to oxide electrolytes, but the polymer matrix provides flexibility and conformability. This composite approach at the molecular level combines the high conductivity benefit of oxide electrolytes with the interfacial adaptability of polymers, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and interface impedance.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional polymer solid electrolyte is used, then easiness in process molding is achieved, but heating is necessary for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the conduction mechanism parameter from thermal-activated segmental motion to electron-mediated conduction through delocalized π-electrons. This parameter change enables ion transport to occur efficiently at room temperature without requiring thermal activation, while the polymer structure maintains its ease of processing and molding capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite polymer structure where conjugated units provide temperature-independent electron-mediated conduction pathways, eliminating the need for thermal activation required in traditional polymers. The non-conjugated units maintain the polymer's processability, creating a material that combines room-temperature operation with ease of manufacturing.
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 ionic conductivities above 1 × 10 -4 S/cm at room temperature, enabling safe and efficient operation in solid-state batteries and supercapacitors, passing safety tests like acupuncture and heavy object impact.
Implementation Method 1
A n is the conjugated unit/chain segment, having completely delocalized electrons
Implementation Method 2
the traditional polymer solid electrolyte mainly transfers ions by chain segment movement
Implementation Method 3
a polymer solid electrolyte with an ion transmission ability
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a solid polymer electrolyte which is composed of a polymer and an electrolyte salt, where the polymer is composed of a plurality of conjugated units/chain segments and non-conjugated units/chain segments. An ionic conductivity of the solid electrolyte at a room temperature may reach 1 × 10-4 S/cm or above, and the solid electrolyte may conduct a variety of ion systems in cooperation with different electrolyte salts. The solid electrolyte may be used in an electrochemical energy storage device such as a secondary battery and a capacitor.