Cross-Linked Polymer Solid Electrolyte for Higher Ionic Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polymer solid electrolytes face challenges in achieving improved ionic conductivity due to high crystallinity, which limits the mobility of lithium ions and makes it difficult to enhance ionic conductivity without using additional additives like plasticizers.
Innovation Solution
A polymer solid electrolyte is developed with a cross-linked structure and amorphous polymer chains, formed through a process involving a polymer with cross-linkable functional groups, lithium salt, and solvent. This structure includes cross-linkages between functional groups, between functional groups and solvent, and between functional groups and lithium salt, enhancing ionic conductivity without the need for plasticizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-temperature drying process is used to form a polymer coating film, then the film formation is completed, but the crystallization degree increases and ionic conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drying temperature parameter from conventional high temperature (80°C or higher) to low temperature (room temperature or below). This parameter change prevents the polymer chains from undergoing extensive folding and crystallization, thereby maintaining amorphous structure and high ionic conductivity. The low-temperature drying process preserves the mobility of polymer chains while still removing solvent to form a solid electrolyte film.
2Strength
If the crystallization degree of the polymer is increased, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the mobility of polymer chain decreases and ionic conductivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal processing parameters (drying temperature and time) to prevent crystallization. By drying at low temperature, the polymer maintains an amorphous state with high chain mobility, which is essential for ionic conductivity. The patent finds that mechanical strength can be maintained through alternative means such as proper film formation and cross-linking, rather than relying on crystallization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by incorporating inorganic fillers or cross-linking agents into the polymer matrix. These additives provide mechanical reinforcement without requiring high crystallization degree, thus maintaining both mechanical strength and ionic conductivity. The composite structure allows the polymer to remain amorphous while gaining structural support from the inorganic components.
3Reliability
If a plasticizer is added to improve ionic conductivity, then the polymer chain mobility is improved, but the process complexity and compatibility issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for plasticizer additives by fundamentally changing the drying process. Instead of adding external substances to improve ionic conductivity, the patent achieves high conductivity through low-temperature drying that preserves the inherent amorphous structure and chain mobility of the polymer. This removal of additives simplifies the formulation and processing while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the polymer to self-maintain high ionic conductivity through proper processing rather than requiring external plasticizers. The low-temperature drying process allows the polymer chains to self-organize into an amorphous structure with high mobility, eliminating the need for additional plasticizing agents. The system serves itself by using processing conditions to achieve the desired molecular conformation.
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 proposed solution achieves ionic conductivity exceeding 10−8 S/cm, improving the mobility of lithium ions and enabling efficient mass production of polymer solid electrolytes, while minimizing brittleness and maintaining mechanical stability.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen bond between the cross-linkable functional groups contained in the PVA is formed, and polymer chain folding occurs due to the hydrogen bond
Implementation Method 2
the crystallization degree of the polymer film increases
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer solid electrolyte and a method for preparing the same are provided. The method includes preparing a polymer solid electrolyte, defining a correlation between an added amount of a lithium salt and ionic conductivity of the polymer solid electrolyte, and adjusting the added amount of the lithium salt depending on the ionic conductivity of the prepared solid electrolyte, and is thereby capable of preparing a polymer solid electrolyte having high ionic conductivity through a large-capacity continuous process.