Battery Electrolyte Composition Using Crown Ether Halide Complexes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluoride shuttle batteries are limited by a narrow range of solvents and high minimum fluoride salt concentration requirements, necessitating a solution for broader solvent compatibility and lower salt concentration operation.
Innovation Solution
A crown ether-metal halide complex is formed and added to the electrolyte, generating halide ions, allowing for a wider range of solvents and lower fluoride ion concentrations (0.01 M to 1 M) in fluoride shuttle batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a narrow scope of solvents is used to solubilize fluoride salt, then the fluoride salt can be dissolved, but the solvent selection is limited and the system lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
A crown ether complexing agent is introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between the fluoride salt and the solvent. The crown ether forms a complex with the metal cation of the fluoride salt, enhancing the solubility and stability of fluoride ions in a broader range of solvents including non-aqueous and non-protic solvents, thereby expanding solvent compatibility without requiring high salt concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the electrolyte system by using crown ether complexes instead of direct fluoride salt dissolution. This parameter change allows the system to operate at lower fluoride salt concentrations (0.01 M to 1 M) while maintaining adequate fluoride ion availability, thus resolving the contradiction between solvent versatility and salt concentration requirements
2Quantity of substance
If a high minimum concentration of fluoride salt is used, then sufficient fluoride ions are available, but the electrolyte requires higher salt content which limits solvent options
Solution Approach 1:
The crown ether acts as a mediating agent that enhances fluoride ion availability through complex formation. By binding to the metal cation, the crown ether prevents ion pairing and aggregation, thereby increasing the effective concentration of free fluoride ions at lower overall salt concentrations, which in turn expands solvent compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite electrolyte system consisting of crown ether, fluoride salt, and solvent. This composite approach allows the crown ether to modulate the interaction between fluoride salt and solvent, enabling the system to achieve sufficient fluoride ion availability with lower salt concentrations and broader solvent selection
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
This approach enhances the solubility and reversibility of fluoride ions, potentially increasing energy density and operational flexibility in fluoride shuttle batteries.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the crown ether and the metal halide to form a crown ether-metal halide complex
Implementation Method 2
the crown ether-metal halide complex is at least partially present in a dissolved state in the electrolyte composition, such that halide ions are present in the electrolyte composition
Implementation Method 3
adding the crown ether-metal halide complex into an electrolyte so as to generate halide ions in the electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell which may be used, for example, in a rechargeable battery based on the reversible transfer of halide anions, and a method for making an electrolyte composition for use in the same. The electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte composition positioned between the two electrodes, where the electrolyte composition contains a crown ether-metal halide complex in a solvent.