Ether-Based Gel Electrolyte for Leak-Resistant Lithium Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gel systems for lithium batteries face challenges such as poor conductivity, irreversible properties, and complex synthesis methods, which limit their safety, efficiency, and commercialization potential due to issues like liquid electrolyte leakage, flammability, and 'shuttling effects' in lithium-sulfur batteries.
Innovation Solution
A gelable system comprising lithium salts and ether compounds, specifically cyclic or straight-chain ether compounds, with controlled mass fractions, which forms a gel or solid electrolyte through interaction and polymerization, offering adjustable strength, high transition temperatures, and reversibility, enhancing safety and performance in lithium batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolytes are used in lithium-ion batteries, then electrochemical reactions can proceed, but leakage and flammability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the electrolyte from liquid phase to gel phase by incorporating gel-forming compounds (such as organogelators or polymers) into the liquid electrolyte system. This phase transition eliminates leakage while maintaining ionic conductivity, and the gel structure reduces flammability compared to pure liquid electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining liquid electrolyte components with gel-forming materials. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit properties of both liquid (high ionic conductivity) and gel (leakage resistance, improved safety), resolving the contradiction between electrochemical performance and safety.
2Reliability
If gel electrolytes are used in lithium-sulfur batteries, then 'shuttling effect' is reduced, but synthesis is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the gel-forming component as a separate additive that can be mixed into the electrolyte system. This simplifies the overall synthesis process compared to creating complex gel structures from scratch, while still achieving the desired polysulfide trapping effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops gel electrolyte formulations that simultaneously achieve multiple functions: polysulfide trapping (reducing shuttling effect), maintaining ionic conductivity, and providing structural stability. This multi-functionality is achieved through carefully selected gel-forming compounds that perform multiple roles in a single system.
3Reliability
If conventional gel systems are used, then leakage is prevented, but strength is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite gel systems by combining gel-forming compounds with reinforcing materials such as polymers, nanofillers, or cross-linked networks. This composite structure significantly enhances mechanical strength while maintaining the leakage resistance and gel properties of the base system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates polymer networks and cross-linked structures that form flexible yet strong frameworks within the gel electrolyte. These structural elements provide mechanical strength and integrity while allowing the gel to maintain its semi-solid, leakage-resistant properties.
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 gel or solid electrolyte system improves safety, charge/discharge efficiency, impact resistance, and suppresses lithium dendrite growth, providing better safety and extended service life while enabling industrial-scale production with simpler methods.
Implementation Method 1
A gelable system comprising lithium salts and ether compounds, specifically cyclic or straight-chain ether compounds, with controlled mass fractions, which forms a gel or solid electrolyte through interaction and polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
A gelable system is formed by mixing lithium salts and small-molecule ether compounds such as cyclic ether compounds or straight-chain ether compounds, optionally added with inorganic nanoparticles, additives, other solvents and/or electrolytes; a gel system or solid system is formed by interaction between them (such as the formation of new complexes or self-assembly, etc.), and by ring-opening polymerization or polycondensation of the small-molecule cyclic ether compounds, or by addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of the small-molecule straight-chain ether compounds, etc. The gel system or solid system not only has better safety in use than common gel systems or solid systems, but also better adjustability of strength. The strength of the formed gel can be improved from the source by changing composition and type of raw materials. The improvement in the strength enables the gel system to be expanded into the solid system, thereby further extending the application range of the gel system.