In Situ Curable Solid Electrolyte for Safer Lithium-Ion Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries face safety issues due to flammable liquid electrolytes, which can lead to leakage, fires, and explosions, and the application of solid electrolytes is hindered by complex and time-consuming fabrication methods, limiting their efficiency and ionic conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an in situ thermally-curable electrolyte is developed, comprising a thermally-curable electrolyte precursor solution infiltrated within the separator and cathode/anode layers, cured to form a porous separator and electrodes fully permeated with a solid electrolyte, using specific crosslinking agents, initiators, and additives to enhance ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolyte is used in lithium-ion batteries, then the battery can operate with good ionic conductivity, but safety issues arise due to flammability and leakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid by using thermally-curable precursor solutions that polymerize upon heating. This parameter change eliminates flammability and leakage issues while maintaining ionic conductivity through the solid polymer matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solid electrolyte system by combining thermally-curable precursor solutions with specific additives and crosslinking agents. This composite approach achieves both safety (through solid state) and ionic conductivity (through optimized composition).
2Reliability
If solid electrolyte is used to improve safety, then flammability is reduced, but the fabrication process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrolyte filling step with the curing step by using thermally-curable precursor solutions. The electrolyte is infiltrated into the porous structure and then cured in situ, combining two separate processes into one integrated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the electrolyte as a liquid precursor solution beforehand, which is then easily infiltrated into the porous separator and electrodes. The actual solidification occurs in situ during the curing step, simplifying the overall fabrication process.
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 solution provides a safer and more efficient method for preparing lithium-ion batteries with improved ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability, reducing the risk of dendrite growth and short circuits, while simplifying the fabrication process.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally-curable electrolyte precursor solution comprises a first crosslinking agent, a second crosslinking agent, an initiator, an electrolyte solvent, an electrolyte salt... then cured to form porous separator and porous electrodes fully permeated with a solid electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
The porous separator has a porosity from approximately 30% to 90%... infiltrated within the separator and the pores inside the cathode and anode layers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an in situ thermally-curable electrolyte. The thermally-curable electrolyte is cured from the thermally-curable electrolyte precursor solution including a first crosslinking agent, a second crosslinking agent, an initiator, an electrolyte solvent, an electrolyte salt, one or more electrolyte additives, and one or more monomers or a monomer polymerization product. The viscosity of the thermally-curable electrolyte precursor solution is below 200 cps such that the thermally-curable electrolyte precursor solution is infiltrated within the separator and the pores inside the cathode and anode layers then cured to form porous separator and porous electrodes fully permeated with a solid electrolyte.