Eutectic Amide Nitrile Electrolyte for Battery Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries face stability issues due to the use of volatile and ignitable organic solvents, which can lead to overheating and potential explosions, and existing ionic liquids can deteriorate battery performance by reducing the anode at higher voltages.
Innovation Solution
A eutectic mixture of an amide compound and an ionizable lithium salt combined with a nitrile compound, forming a thin film on the cathode to enhance high-temperature stability and ion conductivity, thereby improving charging/discharging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional organic solvents (ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethoxy ethane, gamma-butyrolactone, N,N-dimethyl formamide, tetrahydrofurane, acetonitrile) are used as electrolytes, then high energy density and long life cycle are achieved, but high volatility and high ignitability cause poor stability particularly at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by using a eutectic mixture of lithium salt and amide compound instead of conventional organic solvents. This parameter change eliminates volatility and ignitability while maintaining electrochemical performance, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by forming a eutectic mixture of lithium salt and amide compound. This composite material combines the advantages of both components to achieve high thermal stability, chemical stability, and electrochemical performance simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between reliability and safety.
2Reliability
If imidazolium-based or ammonium-based ionic liquid is used as electrolyte, then thermal stability is improved, but the ionic liquid is reduced at higher voltages or cations are inserted into the anode, deteriorating battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters by selecting specific amide compounds with particular molecular structures that are resistant to reduction at anode potentials. This parameter change allows achieving thermal stability without the side reactions that occur with imidazolium or ammonium ionic liquids, thus maintaining battery performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a eutectic mixture of lithium salt and amide compound that forms a stable protective film on the anode surface, preventing further decomposition. This approach creates a stable, non-consuming electrolyte system that avoids the continuous degradation issues of other ionic liquids, maintaining both thermal stability and performance.
3Reliability
If eutectic mixture of lithium salt and amide compound is used as electrolyte, then thermal and chemical stability are improved, but viscosity is relatively high which affects ion conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the composition parameters of the eutectic mixture by carefully selecting the ratio of lithium salt to amide compound. This parameter optimization achieves the right balance between viscosity and stability, ensuring sufficient ion conductivity while maintaining thermal and chemical stability. The nitrile compound addition further adjusts these parameters to enhance ion conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining eutectic mixture of lithium salt and amide compound with nitrile compound. This composite material synergistically combines the thermal stability of the eutectic mixture with the low viscosity and high ion conductivity of the nitrile compound, resolving the contradiction between stability and productivity.
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 electrolyte exhibits high thermal and chemical stability, reduces viscosity, and increases ion conductivity, enhancing the high-temperature performance and efficiency of lithium secondary batteries.
Implementation Method 1
forming a thin film on the cathode to enhance high-temperature stability
Implementation Method 2
increases ion conductivity, enhancing the high-temperature performance and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electrolyte comprising (a) a eutectic mixture of an amide compound represented by the following chemical formula 1 or 2 and an ionizable lithium salt; and (b) a nitrile compound. The eutectic mixture and the nitrile compound in the electrolyte contribute to excellent thermal and chemical stability and sufficiently low viscosity and high ion conductivity. The electrolyte can be usefully applied as an electrolyte of electrochemical devices.