Flexible Magnesium-Ion Battery Electrodes Using Polymer Gel Electrolyte

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnesium-ion batteries face technical challenges that hinder their commercialization, including unintended redox reactions and low ionic conductivity in polymer gel electrolytes, which affect the performance and safety of magnesium-ion battery electrodes.

Innovation Solution

The development of mechanically flexible magnesium-ion batteries using a solid polymer-based anode and cathode, combined with a polymer gel electrolyte containing bismuth nanostructure powder, tungsten disulfide, and specific electrolyte binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene and magnesium perchlorate, which reduce unwanted redox reactions and enhance ionic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If polymer gel electrolyte is used in magnesium-ion battery, then mechanical flexibility is improved, but ionic conductivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical flexibilityVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite polymer gel electrolyte system combining PVDF-HFP polymer matrix with magnesium perchlorate salt and carbonate solvents (ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate). This composite structure maintains the mechanical flexibility of the polymer gel while the dissolved magnesium perchlorate provides ionic conductivity, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and ionic conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the composition parameters of the electrolyte by adjusting the ratio of polymer to salt to solvent, and selecting specific molecular weight and structure of PVDF-HFP. These parameter changes enable the electrolyte to achieve both sufficient mechanical flexibility for wearable applications and adequate ionic conductivity for battery operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional electrolyte is used in magnesium-ion battery, then ionic conductivity is maintained, but unintended redox reactions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidunintended redox reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs PVDF-HFP polymer gel as an inert electrolyte medium that is chemically stable and resistant to unwanted redox reactions with magnesium electrodes. The polymer matrix creates a stable environment that prevents decomposition reactions while still allowing magnesium ion transport, thus eliminating harmful side reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer gel electrolyte acts as an intermediary between the magnesium anode and cathode, facilitating ion transport while preventing direct contact and unwanted reactions between electrode materials. The gel structure mediates the electrochemical environment to enable reversible magnesium ion insertion and extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If mechanically flexible battery is developed, then adaptability to wearable applications is improved, but technical challenges regarding electrode stability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to wearable applicationsVSAvoidelectrode stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops flexible thin-film electrodes using PVDF-HFP polymer binder and gel electrolyte coating on flexible substrates. This flexible film structure enables the battery to conform to wearable device shapes while the carefully designed material composition maintains electrochemical stability during repeated bending and cycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite electrode structures combining active materials with PVDF-HFP polymer binder and conductive additives in a gel electrolyte matrix. This composite design provides both mechanical flexibility for wearable applications and electrochemical stability for reliable operation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution achieves stable and reversible redox reactions, improved ionic conductivity, and enhanced performance of magnesium-ion batteries, addressing the limitations of existing technologies and paving the way for their commercialization in emerging markets.

Implementation Method 1

a polymer gel electrolyte in contact with the anode and the cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

stable and reversible redox reactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS10938022B2Mechanically flexible magnesium-ion battery electrodes in a polymer gel perchlorate electrolyte

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIV OF ARIZONA

AI summary

A magnesium-ion battery includes a solid, mechanically flexible polymer-based anode, a solid, mechanically flexible polymer-based cathode, and a polymer gel electrolyte in contact with the anode and the cathode. An electrode can include bismuth nanostructure powder and an electrolyte binder, or tungsten disulfide and an electrolyte binder.