Cross-linked Compound Particle for Battery Electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries face challenges with uniform electrolyte impregnation due to uncured crosslinking agents, leading to increased viscosity and decreased battery performance.
Innovation Solution
A cross-linked compound particle comprising a monomer as the core and a thermoplastic resin film as the shell, with a polymerization initiator, which can be included in the electrolyte or coated on the electrodes, to enhance electrolyte solution impregnation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a thermally polymerizable crosslinking agent is used to manufacture directly-crosslinked polymer batteries, then manufacturing process simplicity is improved, but electrolyte impregnation uniformity deteriorates due to increased viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The crosslinking agent is divided into segmented compound particles with a core-shell structure. The core contains the crosslinking agent monomer and polymerization initiator, while the shell contains a material that disappears at a predetermined temperature. This segmentation allows the crosslinking agent to be uniformly distributed in the electrolyte without increasing viscosity, as the particles remain discrete until thermal curing activates them in situ.
Solution Approach 2:
The compound particles are prepared in advance with the crosslinking agent monomer and polymerization initiator already positioned in the core, and the temperature-disappearing material already forming the shell. This preliminary preparation allows uniform distribution before curing, and the shell material disappears at a predetermined temperature to enable subsequent electrolyte impregnation without viscosity issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If crosslinking agent remains uncured in the electrolyte, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but battery performance deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving uniform impregnation
Solution Approach 1:
The polymerization initiator in the core is designed to be activated by specific parameters such as temperature, light, or other external stimuli. This allows the crosslinking agent to remain in monomer form during manufacturing (maintaining flexibility), and only polymerize when the activation parameter is applied, at which point uniform impregnation is achieved and battery performance is ensured.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional lithium ion battery methods are used, then electrolyte impregnation is achieved, but safety deteriorates due to liquid electrolyte leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a phase transition approach where the crosslinking occurs thermally in situ within the battery structure. The polymerization initiator is activated by temperature, causing the monomer to polymerize and form a crosslinked gel structure that retains the electrolyte, thereby transitioning from a liquid electrolyte system to a gel polymer battery system that prevents leakage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 compound particle improves battery performance by ensuring uniform electrolyte distribution and preventing core material deterioration, resulting in enhanced lifespan and high-temperature storage characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-linked compound particle comprising a monomer and a polymerization initiator, as a core
Implementation Method 2
a film including a material disappeared at predetermined temperature as the shell
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a cross-linked compound particle and a secondary battery including the same. More particularly, a compound particle which includes a monomer and a polymerization initiator, as a core and a film including a material disappeared at predetermined temperature as a shell is provided.