Alkylating Agent Additive for EDLC ESR Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) face issues with nucleophilic species generation during operation, which react and impede their normal functioning, leading to increased equivalent series resistance (ESR) and capacitance loss.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an alkylating or arylating agent additive in the EDLC electrolyte that scavenges nucleophilic species, such as tertiary amines and carboxylic acids, to prevent their reactive interference, thereby reducing ESR gain and enhancing capacitance retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If EDLCs operate normally, then power density is maintained at high levels, but nucleophilic species are generated that increase ESR and reduce capacitance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidcapacitance retention
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An alkylating or arylating agent additive is introduced as an intermediary substance in the electrolyte that reacts with nucleophilic species (such as tertiary amines and carboxylic acids) to neutralize them. This mediator prevents the harmful reactions between nucleophilic species and cell components, thereby maintaining high power density while improving capacitance retention and reducing ESR gain over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If nucleophilic species are present in the electrolyte, then the EDLC can function, but they react with cell components to impede normal functioning and increase ESR

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEDLC functionalityVSAvoidESR gain
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alkylating or arylating agent additive converts the harmful effect of nucleophilic species into a beneficial outcome by reacting with them to form stable, non-reactive products. The nucleophilic species that would normally cause ESR increase and capacitance loss are instead neutralized through alkylation or arylation reactions, transforming a harmful factor into a controlled chemical process that protects the cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If trace water is present in the electrolyte, then the EDLC can be manufactured, but hydroxide ions react with tetraethylammonium chloride to produce triethylamine that further reacts and impedes function

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEDLC manufacturingVSAvoidnucleophilic species generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alkylating or arylating agent additive is pre-introduced into the electrolyte during manufacturing to prevent future harmful reactions. This preliminary action ensures that when nucleophilic species are generated from trace water during normal operation, they are immediately neutralized by the pre-present additive, preventing the formation of harmful reaction products like triethylamine that would impede cell function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 addition of these agents effectively lowers ESR and improves capacitance stability, extending the life and performance of EDLCs by neutralizing reactive species generated during operation.

Implementation Method 1

an alkylating or arylating agent additive capable of scavenging nucleophilic species generated during operation of the EDLC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAlkylation/Arylation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3251137B1Additives for reducing ESR gain in electrochemical double layer capacitors
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 SYSTEMATIC POWER MANUFACTURING LLC
  • EP3251137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251137B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3251137B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) including an alkylating or arylating agent are described herein. The alkylating or arylating reagent comprises a compound of the formula I: R-X (I) wherein R and X are described herein.