Eutectic Electrolyte for Stable Lithium Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-aqueous electrolytes used in electrochemical devices, such as lithium secondary batteries, suffer from issues like low viscosity, volatility, flammability, and reduced durability and stability, which are not adequately addressed by current solutions like imidazolium-based ionic liquids.

Innovation Solution

A new eutectic mixture composed of a heterocyclic compound and an ionizable lithium salt, with specific chemical structures and ratios, providing high thermal and chemical stability, is developed to enhance the performance of electrolytes in electrochemical devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-aqueous electrolytes using organic solvents are used, then electrochemical devices can operate, but the electrolyte exhibits easy leakage due to low viscosity, vaporization due to strong volatility, and strong flammability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability and stabilityVSAvoidleakage, volatility, and flammability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by using eutectic mixtures of lithium salts with amide compounds or heterocyclic compounds instead of traditional organic solvents. This parameter change fundamentally alters the physical and chemical properties, eliminating volatility and flammability while maintaining ionic conductivity for electrochemical device operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material systems by creating eutectic mixtures that combine lithium salts with amide compounds or heterocyclic compounds. This composite approach produces a material with superior properties that neither component possesses alone, achieving both high stability and electrochemical functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If imidazolium-based or ammonium-based ionic liquid is used as electrolyte, then thermal stability is improved, but the ionic liquid may be reduced at higher voltage than lithium ions or cations may be inserted into the anode, deteriorating battery performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidbattery performance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters by selecting specific amide compounds or heterocyclic compounds with appropriate molecular structures and electronic properties. This parameter optimization ensures that the electrolyte maintains thermal stability while having a reduction potential lower than lithium ions, preventing unwanted side reactions and anode degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If eutectic mixtures of lithium and amide compound are used, then thermal and chemical stabilities are improved with wide electrochemical window, but the viscosity may be high affecting ionic conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal and chemical stabilityVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes composition parameters by carefully selecting the type and ratio of lithium salts and amide compounds or heterocyclic compounds in the eutectic mixture. This parameter optimization achieves the right balance between viscosity and ionic conductivity, ensuring both stability and adequate ion transport for electrochemical device performance.

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 new eutectic mixture exhibits excellent thermal and chemical stability, reducing evaporation, ignition, and side reactions, thereby improving the durability and stability of electrochemical devices like lithium secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

an electrolyte, which includes an eutectic mixture composed of: (a) a hetero cyclic compound expressed by the following chemistry FIG. 1; and (b) an ionizable lithium salt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEutectic mixture formation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

ionizable lithium salt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9711823B2Electrolyte having eutectic mixture of hetero cyclic compound and lithium salt and electrochemical device containing the same

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

An electrolyte includes an eutectic mixture composed of (a) a hetero cyclic compound having a predetermined chemistry figure, and (b) an ionizable lithium salt. An electrochemical device having the electrolyte. The eutectic mixture included in the electrolyte exhibits inherent characteristics of an eutectic mixture such as excellent thermal stability and excellent chemical stability, thereby improving the problems such as evaporation, ignition and side reaction of an electrolyte caused by the usage of existing organic solvents.