Flame-Retardant Battery Electrolytes for Thermal Runaway Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery electrolyte compositions are costly, cumbersome, and inefficient, limiting battery lifetime and posing safety risks due to flammability and thermal runaway.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel electrolyte compositions with flame-retardant additives and solvents, such as linear and cyclic ethers, sultones, phosphazenes, and hydrofluoroethers, to reduce flammability and enhance thermal stability, thereby preventing thermal propagation and runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrolyte compositions are used, then electrochemical performance is maintained, but flammability and thermal runaway risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful flammability of conventional electrolytes into a benefit by using flame-retardant electrolyte compositions. The new electrolyte formulations contain additives and solvents specifically selected to suppress combustion while maintaining electrochemical performance, effectively transforming a safety hazard into a safety feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating flame-retardant additives and alternative solvents. This modifies the physical and chemical properties of the electrolyte to reduce flammability while preserving ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability required for battery operation.
2Temperature
If flame-retardant electrolyte compositions are used, then thermal stability is enhanced, but electrochemical performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration and composition parameters of flame-retardant additives and solvents to achieve the right balance between thermal stability and electrochemical performance. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the electrolyte maintains high ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability while providing enhanced thermal runaway protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite electrolyte formulations combining multiple components including flame-retardant additives, alternative solvents, and conventional electrolyte ingredients. This composite approach allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve thermal stability and maintain the electrochemical performance needed for efficient battery operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If novel electrolyte compositions are developed, then thermal propagation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses thermal propagation by incorporating flame-retardant components that convert the potential harm of thermal runaway into a protective mechanism. The electrolyte composition is designed to suppress thermal propagation through chemical mechanisms while maintaining manufacturability through established production processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the electrolyte composition parameters to include flame-retardant additives and alternative solvents in optimized concentrations. These parameter changes are designed to prevent thermal propagation while maintaining compatibility with existing battery manufacturing processes, minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity.
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 electrolyte compositions improve safety and reduce the risk of thermal runaway, while maintaining electrochemical performance, thus enhancing the energy density and cycle life of lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
novel electrolyte compositions with flame-retardant additives and solvents, such as linear and cyclic ethers, sultones, phosphazenes, and hydrofluoroethers, to reduce flammability and enhance thermal stability
Implementation Method 2
HIGH HEAT CAPACITY MATERIALS FOR IMPROVED SAFETY OF HIGH ENERGY DENSITY BATTERIES
Data Source
AI summary
Electrolyte compositions comprising electrolyte additives and/or solvents for reduction of thermal propagation in lithium-ion batteries are disclosed. Energy storage devices comprising the electrolyte compositions comprise a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode may be a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the electrolyte composition.