Flame-Retardant Composite Electrolyte for Dendrite-Resistant Solid Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lithium secondary batteries face safety issues due to electrolyte leakage and flammability, with polymer electrolytes lacking inherent flame retardancy and mechanical stability, and inorganic materials not effectively addressing ignition risks.

Innovation Solution

An organic and inorganic composite polymer electrolyte is developed, incorporating a flame-retardant polymer and inorganic salt with a shear modulus of 7 to 60 GPa, which includes phosphorus-based and phosphazene-based polymers, and fluoride or carbonate inorganic salts to enhance flame retardancy and mechanical properties, while suppressing lithium dendrite growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a liquid electrolyte is used in lithium secondary batteries, then ionic conductivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to electrolyte leakage and flammability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining organic polymer matrices with inorganic electrolyte salts and additives. This composite structure maintains the ionic conductivity benefits of liquid electrolytes while incorporating the mechanical stability and flame retardancy of solid materials, thereby resolving the contradiction between conductivity and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from liquid to gel/solid composite form. By transforming the electrolyte into a polymer-based composite with controlled mechanical properties and flame retardant characteristics, it maintains ionic conductivity while eliminating leakage and reducing flammability risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a polymer electrolyte is used to eliminate leakage, then safety is improved, but flame retardancy deteriorates because the polymer lacks inherent flame resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidflame retardancy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining flame-retardant polymers with inorganic electrolyte salts and flame retardant additives. This composite approach maintains the leak-proof safety of polymer electrolytes while introducing flame retardancy through the inorganic components and specialized polymer structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces inorganic electrolyte salts and flame retardant additives as intermediary substances within the polymer matrix. These intermediaries provide the flame retardant properties that the base polymer lacks, while maintaining the overall polymer electrolyte structure's safety benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If inorganic materials are added to polymer electrolytes to improve mechanical properties, then mechanical strength is improved, but flame retardancy deteriorates because the inorganic materials do not provide flame resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidflame retardancy

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a triple-composite structure combining polymers, inorganic electrolyte salts, and flame retardant additives. This multi-component composite ensures that the inorganic materials serve dual purposes: providing mechanical strength enhancement while the flame retardant additives compensate for the lack of flame resistance in the inorganic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the inorganic electrolyte salt components to serve multiple functions simultaneously: providing ionic conductivity, enhancing mechanical properties, and contributing to flame retardancy when combined with appropriate additives. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between mechanical strength and flame retardancy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 composite electrolyte improves safety by preventing short circuits and suppressing lithium dendrite growth, while maintaining ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, thereby enhancing battery performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a flame-retardant inorganic salt with a shear modulus of 7 to 60 GPa

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear modulus:

Implementation Method 2

an organic and inorganic composite polymer electrolyte including a flame-retardant polymer and a flame-retardant inorganic salt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame retardancy:

Data Source

PatentUS12503531B2Organic and inorganic composite polymer electrolyte and all solid state battery comprising the same

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 SK ON CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an organic and inorganic composite polymer electrolyte and an all-solid-state battery including the same, and provided is an organic and inorganic composite polymer electrolyte including a flame-retardant polymer and a flame-retardant inorganic salt with a shear modulus of 7 to 60 GPa, and an all-solid-state battery including the organic and inorganic composite polymer electrolyte.