Copper Sulfide Battery Separator Additives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rechargeable batteries face limitations such as charge capacity loss, high impedance, and internal resistance, which lead to deteriorating performance over charging cycles, particularly when using materials like manganese oxides in alkaline batteries, and copper oxides and sulfides are not suitable for aqueous rechargeable batteries due to solubility and crossover issues.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable electrochemical battery cell utilizing copper and sulfur-based materials, such as copper sulfide, in an alkaline aqueous solution, with a separator to prevent ion crossover and additives to inhibit conversion into copper oxides, allowing for stable cycling and high energy capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If copper oxides and sulfides are used as electrode materials in aqueous rechargeable batteries, then high energy capacity is achieved, but solubility and crossover issues cause rapid capacity fade
Solution Approach 1:
A separator is introduced as an intermediary component between the positive and negative electrodes to prevent copper ion crossover while maintaining ionic conductivity. This separator acts as a physical barrier that allows the battery to use high-capacity copper-based materials without suffering from the detrimental crossover effects that would otherwise cause rapid capacity fade.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte composition is modified by adding specific additives that inhibit the conversion of copper sulfide into copper oxide. This parameter change in the electrolyte chemistry stabilizes the copper-based electrode materials during cycling, preventing the formation of insulating copper oxide phases that would degrade battery performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional electrode materials like manganese oxides are used in rechargeable batteries, then battery assembly is simplified, but charge capacity is lost over several charge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The positive electrode uses a composite material system based on copper sulfide and copper oxide in specific ratios, combined with a specialized electrolyte additive package. This composite approach maintains the electrochemical activity and capacity of copper-based materials while the separator and additives work together to prevent degradation, achieving both high capacity and cycle stability.
3Quantity of substance
If copper oxide is used as cathode material in alkaline batteries, then high energy density is achieved, but dissolution in alkaline electrolyte causes rapid capacity fade
Solution Approach 1:
The separator serves as a mediator that physically separates the copper-based cathode from the zinc anode, preventing copper ions from dissolving into the bulk electrolyte and migrating to the anode. This intermediary barrier maintains the structural integrity of the copper oxide/sulfide cathode material during cycling in alkaline electrolyte.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte is modified with additives that change its chemical properties to inhibit copper oxide dissolution. These additives form protective complexes or alter the local chemistry at the electrode-electrolyte interface, reducing the solubility of copper species in the alkaline electrolyte while maintaining ionic conductivity.
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 copper and sulfur-based battery exhibits improved stability and energy capacity, maintaining performance over multiple cycles and enabling applications in grid storage and fast discharge applications with extended cycle life.
Implementation Method 1
the positive and/or negative active material includes a copper and sulfur containing material that undergoes oxidation and reduction processes such that it electrochemically cycles to discharge and recharge the battery cell
Implementation Method 2
the positive and/or negative active material includes a copper and sulfur containing material that undergoes oxidation and reduction processes such that it electrochemically cycles to discharge and recharge the battery cell
Implementation Method 3
the positive and/or negative active material includes a copper and sulfur containing material that undergoes oxidation and reduction processes such that it electrochemically cycles to discharge and recharge the battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable electrochemical battery is disclosed. The battery includes a cell container; a cathode comprising a positive electrode active material; an anode comprising a negative electrode active material; a separator disposed between the positive and negative electrodes; and an electrolyte. At least one of the positive electrode active material or the negative electrode active material includes a material including copper and sulfur based compounds that are electrochemically cycled in the rechargeable battery.