Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Dehydration for Stable Sulfonylimide Compositions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing non-aqueous electrolyte solutions require repeated low-temperature dehydration steps to reduce water content, which is inefficient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a sulfonylimide compound and an anionic component with a specific acid dissociation constant into the electrolyte solution, followed by dehydration with a non-aqueous solvent, enhances thermal stability and efficiency of water removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If repeated low-temperature dehydration steps are used to reduce water content, then water content is reduced, but productivity is low and time consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater contentVSAvoiddehydration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from low-temperature repeated dehydration to high-temperature single-step dehydration. By using the anionic component to suppress decomposition at elevated temperatures, the method enables dehydration at higher temperatures that would otherwise cause decomposition, thereby reducing the number of steps and increasing productivity while achieving the same water content reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The anionic component is added beforehand to the solution mixture before dehydration. This preliminary action of adding the decomposition-suppressing agent enables the subsequent high-temperature dehydration to proceed without decomposition, eliminating the need for repeated low-temperature steps and improving overall dehydration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If high temperature is used for dehydration, then dehydration efficiency is improved, but decomposition of sulfonylimide compound occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedehydration efficiencyVSAvoidsolution stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anionic component acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high temperature condition and the sulfonylimide compound. It suppresses the decomposition reaction that would normally occur at high temperatures, thereby enabling high-temperature dehydration to proceed without compromising solution stability or causing decomposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If many repeated dehydration steps are performed, then water content is sufficiently reduced, but time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater contentVSAvoiddehydration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from low-temperature repeated dehydration to high-temperature single-step dehydration. By using the anionic component to suppress decomposition at elevated temperatures, the method enables dehydration at higher temperatures that would otherwise cause decomposition, thereby reducing the number of steps and increasing productivity while achieving the same water content reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The anionic component is added beforehand to the solution mixture before dehydration. This preliminary action of adding the decomposition-suppressing agent enables the subsequent high-temperature dehydration to proceed without decomposition, eliminating the need for repeated low-temperature steps and improving overall dehydration efficiency.

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 method allows for efficient dehydration at higher temperatures, reducing decomposition and improving productivity while maintaining solution stability.

Implementation Method 1

the anionic component is added to a solution containing the sulfonylimide compound to improve the thermal stability of the solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition suppression:

Implementation Method 2

removing vapor containing water from the solution mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

dehydrating of adding the anionic component to a solution containing the electrolyte and the non-aqueous solvent to dehydrate the solution for solvent replacement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP4343915B1Composition production method

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO LTD

AI summary

In a method for producing a composition containing an electrolyte, a non-aqueous solvent, and an anionic component, the electrolyte contains a sulfonylimide compound represented by the general formula (1), and the anionic component contains a conjugate acid with an acid dissociation constant pKa (a first-step acid dissociation constant pKa1 for acids that ionize multiple times) of 0 or more and 6.5 or less and is contained at a concentration of 10000 ppm by mass or less with respect to the electrolyte. The method includes dehydrating of adding the anionic component to a solution containing the electrolyte and the non-aqueous solvent to dehydrate the solution for solvent replacement. LiN(XSO2)(FSO2) (1) (where X represents a fluorine atom, an alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a fluoroalkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms)