Disordered Crosslinked Polymer Electrolyte for Safe Li-Ion Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face safety concerns due to the use of flammable solvents in liquid electrolytes, leading to potential fires and explosions, and existing solid electrolytes have limitations in ionic conductivity and cycle life, hindering further performance improvements.
Innovation Solution
Development of polymer solid electrolytes with crosslinked networks synthesized from crosslinkers having three or more polymerizable terminals, such as tri-acrylates and silanes, which provide improved ionic conductivity and stability through a disordered 3D crosslinking structure, allowing for safer and longer-life lithium batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid carbonate electrolyte is used in lithium-ion batteries, then ionic conductivity is maintained, but safety deteriorates due to flammability and risk of fire/explosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the electrolyte from liquid phase to solid polymer phase through crosslinking. The crosslinked polymer network maintains ionic conductivity while eliminating the flammability associated with liquid carbonate solvents, directly resolving the safety contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining crosslinked polymer networks with ionic conductive pathways. This composite structure integrates the mechanical stability and safety of solids with the ionic conductivity traditionally associated with liquids, resolving the contradiction between safety and performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional solid electrolytes are used, then safety is improved by eliminating flammable solvents, but ionic conductivity deteriorates limiting battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the polymer by introducing crosslinks with specific geometries (three or more terminals). This parameter change creates a disordered network structure that maintains free volume and chain mobility, preserving ionic conductivity while achieving the safety benefits of solid electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local disordered regions within the crosslinked polymer network that facilitate ion transport. The crosslinking provides overall structural integrity and safety, while local amorphous regions maintain the ionic conductivity needed for battery performance, resolving the contradiction between solid-state safety and ionic conductivity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If crosslinked polymer network is formed, then structural stability is improved, but ion transport may be restricted reducing ionic conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric crosslinking nodes with three or more terminals creating a disordered, non-uniform network structure. This asymmetry prevents dense packing and maintains free volume channels for ion transport, allowing the crosslinked structure to provide stability without restricting ionic conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from linear or planar polymer structures to three-dimensional crosslinked networks. This dimensional change creates a spatially distributed structure that provides structural stability while maintaining three-dimensional ion transport pathways, resolving the contradiction between stability and conductivity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If energy density is increased to approach 500 Wh/kg, then battery performance is improved, but safety deteriorates due to increased risk of fire and explosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses solid polymer electrolyte with crosslinked network to replace liquid electrolyte, enabling higher energy density through improved safety characteristics. The solid-state configuration allows for more aggressive electrode designs and higher capacity materials without the fire risk associated with liquid electrolytes at high energy densities.
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 polymer solid electrolytes exhibit enhanced ionic conductivity and decomposition potential, leading to improved charging/discharging rates and increased safety, enabling lithium batteries with longer cycle life and higher voltage capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinked polymer or copolymer with a heterogenous or disordered polymer network synthesized from one or more crosslinkers... wherein at least one crosslinker has three or more polymerizable or crosslinkable terminals
Implementation Method 2
The polymer solid electrolytes exhibit enhanced ionic conductivity... leading to improved charging/discharging rates
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer solid electrolyte includes a crosslinked polymer or copolymer with a heterogenous or disordered polymer network synthesized from one or more crosslinkers, wherein at least one crosslinker has three or more polymerizable or crosslinkable terminals. In another embodiment, the crosslinked polymer or copolymer has a polymer network with topological defects. In one embodiment, the crosslinked polymer is not over-crosslinked. An electrochemical device with the crosslinked polymer or copolymer as electrolyte exhibits an improved electrochemical and safety performance In certain embodiment, the crosslinkers include a) tri-acrylates, and tetra-acrylates; b) modified tri-acrylates and tetra-acrylates; c) silanes and siloxanes; and d) triazinane-triones.