Fluoride Ion Battery Electrolyte for Low-Temperature Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-based batteries face safety issues due to lithium metal's reactivity and instability, leading to thermal runaway and reduced energy density, while existing anion-based systems with solid-state electrolytes have poor conductivity at lower temperatures, limiting their performance and applicability.
Innovation Solution
Development of a lithium-free, anion-based charge transport electrochemical system using fluoride ion transporting liquid electrolytes, specifically ionic liquids with organic-soluble fluoride salts and additives, which maintain conductivity at room and low temperatures, enabling efficient fluoride ion transfer between electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium metal is used in battery systems, then energy density is improved, but safety deteriorates due to high reactivity and thermal runaway risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes lithium metal from the battery system entirely, extracting the harmful element while preserving energy storage functionality through alternative chemistry (fluoride ion transfer between non-lithium electrodes), thereby eliminating safety risks associated with lithium reactivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluoride ions as intermediary charge carriers in the electrolyte, mediating the electrochemical reactions between electrodes without requiring lithium metal, thus maintaining high energy density while eliminating safety hazards
2Adaptability or versatility
If solid-state fluoride-conducting electrolytes are used, then anion-mediated electrode reactions are enabled, but conductivity deteriorates at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from solid to liquid, creating a liquid electrolyte system that maintains high ionic conductivity across a wide temperature range including low temperatures, while still enabling fluoride ion-mediated electrochemical reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite electrolyte system combining liquid electrolyte components that work synergistically to provide both fluoride ion conductivity and low-temperature performance, achieving versatility in anion-mediated reactions while maintaining reliability across temperature conditions
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 system provides improved performance and safety by reducing internal resistance, enabling reliable high-discharge and high-capacity operation, and is suitable for various applications including primary and rechargeable batteries, without the need for lithium.
Implementation Method 1
fluoride ion transporting liquid electrolytes, specifically ionic liquids with organic-soluble fluoride salts and additives, which maintain conductivity at room and low temperatures, enabling efficient fluoride ion transfer between electrodes
Implementation Method 2
The electrolyte is selected to conduct charge carriers between the positive electrode and the negative electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium-free, anion based charge transport electrochemical system that uses fluoride ion transporting electrolytes, including ionic liquids, with and without various additives to improve performance, is described. The fluoride ion transporting electrolyte can be wholly or partly an ionic liquid that is typically liquid at temperatures less than 200 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, electrolytes that remain liquid at less than 100 degrees Celsius are useful.