Crosslinked Redox Polymers for Safer High-Capacity Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in producing high reliability, high capacity, long-life, and safe energy storage devices, particularly in large-scale applications such as utility grid storage and full-home backup battery installations.
Innovation Solution
The development of crosslinked polymers, specifically network and dendritic polymers, which are redox active and stable, with a redox potential between 0.5 V to 3.0 V, used in electrochemical cells and batteries with aqueous electrolytes, enhancing capacity and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional energy storage materials are used, then production is simpler, but reliability and capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite polymer structures combining redox-active moieties with crosslinkable functional groups. These composite materials integrate multiple functions (energy storage, structural stability, solubility control) into a single polymer system, achieving high reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies polymer parameters including molecular weight (1500-10000+ Dalton), crosslinking density, and redox-active group concentration to optimize performance. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves high capacity and reliability while managing structural complexity through quantitative design
2Quantity of substance
If high capacity materials are used, then energy storage capacity increases, but safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces crosslinkable functional groups at specific locations within the polymer structure to create localized crosslinked regions. These local crosslinked domains provide structural integrity and safety without compromising the overall high capacity of the polymer, as the redox-active moieties remain accessible for electrochemical reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of high-capacity organic materials (flammability) into a benefit by using crosslinking to create structurally stable networks. The crosslinked structure prevents uncontrolled reactions and thermal runaway while maintaining the high capacity benefits of organic redox materials
3Ease of manufacture
If soluble polymers are used, then processing is easier, but electrochemical stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs crosslinking after polymer synthesis and electrode fabrication, allowing the polymer to be processed in soluble form during manufacturing. The crosslinking step is applied preliminarily to the completed electrode structure, providing electrochemical stability without complicating the initial processing steps
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
These polymers enable batteries with high capacity (at least 50 mAh/g), long life-time (at least 4 years), and reduced safety hazards, including low flammability, compared to existing lead-acid and organic redox materials.
Implementation Method 1
Q is a redox active monomeric moiety comprising a carbocyclic structure and at least one carbonyl group or a carboxyl group presented on the carbocyclic structure, Q having a redox potential of 0.5 V to 3.0 V with reference to Li/Li+ electrode potential
Data Source
AI summary
Crosslinked polymers and related compositions and related compositions, electrochemical cells, batteries, methods and systems are described. The crosslinked polymers have at least one redox active monomeric moiety having a redox potential of 0.5 V to 3.0 V with reference to Li/Li+ electrode potential under standard conditions or −2.54 V to −0.04 V vs. SHE and has a carbocyclic structure and at least one carbonyl group or a carboxyl group on the carbocyclic structure. The crosslinked polymers also include at least one comonomeric moiety with at least one of the at least one redox active monomeric moiety and/or the at least one comonomeric moiety has a denticity of three to six corresponding to a three to six connected network polymer, and provide stable, high capacity organic electrode materials.