Non-aqueous Electrolyte for Lithium Battery SEI Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary batteries face challenges in maintaining high-temperature and low-temperature cycle characteristics and capacity due to irreversible decomposition reactions and poor SEI formation caused by propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate, leading to reduced battery performance.

Innovation Solution

A non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprising propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, and a lithium salt with a specific molar ratio, which forms a robust SEI on the anode, improving low-temperature and room temperature output characteristics and capacity retention after high-temperature storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If propylene carbonate is used as a non-aqueous organic solvent, then room temperature output characteristics are improved, but irreversible decomposition reaction occurs with graphite material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroom temperature output characteristicsVSAvoidirreversible decomposition reaction
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate in a specific ratio (5:95 to 45:55 by volume) to create a mixed solvent system. This merging allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve the high room temperature output characteristics of propylene carbonate while avoiding its irreversible decomposition reaction with graphite, as ethylene carbonate provides stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the concentration parameters of lithium salt and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide within specific ranges (0.5-2.0 M and 0.05-1.5 M respectively) to optimize SEI formation. This parameter optimization enables robust SEI formation that prevents decomposition while maintaining good output characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If ethylene carbonate is used as a non-aqueous organic solvent, then high-temperature cycle characteristics are improved, but low-temperature performance is reduced due to high melting point

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-temperature cycle characteristicsVSAvoidlow-temperature performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate in a balanced ratio to create a solvent system that exhibits both high-temperature stability from ethylene carbonate and low-temperature fluidity from propylene carbonate, thereby resolving the temperature performance contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrolyte uses a composite solvent system combining two different carbonate solvents with complementary properties. This composite approach allows the electrolyte to maintain stable SEI formation at high temperatures while remaining fluid and conductive at low temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If robust SEI is formed on the anode, then high-temperature cycle characteristics and capacity retention are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to specific composition requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-temperature cycle characteristicsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific parameter ranges for solvent ratios and lithium salt concentrations that reliably produce robust SEI. By establishing these clear parameter specifications, the manufacturing process becomes more controllable and less complex, as operators can simply maintain concentrations within the specified ranges to achieve consistent SEI formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances high-temperature and room temperature cycle characteristics and capacity retention by forming a stable SEI, preventing decomposition and oxidation reactions, thereby improving the overall performance of lithium secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

Charge and discharge of the lithium secondary battery is performed while a process of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions from a lithium metal oxide cathode into and out of a graphite anode is repeated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntercalation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The SEI may only pass the lithium ions by acting as an ion tunnel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon tunneling: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

since lithium is highly reactive, lithium reacts with the carbon electrode to form Li 2 CO 3, LiO, or LiOH

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2978059B1Non-aqueous electrolytic solution and lithium secondary battery comprising same
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2978059B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2978059B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2978059B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, which includes a non-aqueous organic solvent including propylene carbonate (PC) and ethylene carbonate (EC), and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), and a lithium secondary battery including the non-aqueous electrolyte solution. The lithium secondary battery of the present invention may improve low-temperature and room temperature output characteristics, high-temperature and room temperature cycle characteristics, and capacity characteristics after high-temperature storage by forming a robust solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on an anode during initial charge of the lithium secondary battery.