Fluorinated Cyclic Carbonate Synthesis for Li-Ion Battery Electrolytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manufacturing fluorinated alkyl carbonates as additives for lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors face challenges in yield, purity, energy consumption, safety, and side-product profiles, and existing additives do not adequately enhance battery performance or stability, particularly in the presence of copper substrates.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing fluorinated cyclic carbonates involving the reaction of fluorosubstituted alkyl or alkyloxyalkylene compounds with alkaline metal cations or their equivalents, which improves yield, purity, and safety while forming beneficial films and enhancing electrolyte stability, wettability, and reducing flammability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to manufacture fluorinated alkyl carbonates, then the basic manufacturing process is simple, but the overall yield and purity of the desired product are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is divided into distinct stages: first forming the fluorinated cyclic carbonate through reaction of fluorinated alkyl halide with carbonate source, then selectively purifying it from side products through extraction and distillation steps. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, achieving high purity without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate purification steps including aqueous washing to remove halide byproducts, drying agents to remove water, and selective extraction processes. These intermediary steps act as mediators between the reaction stage and final product, enabling high purity output while maintaining reasonable process complexity.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional manufacturing methods are used, then the process steps are fewer, but energy consumption is higher and safety requirements are more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes reaction parameters including temperature control during the carbonation step, solvent selection and ratios, and pH control during workup. These parameter changes increase reaction efficiency and yield while reducing energy consumption through milder reaction conditions and more efficient separation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful side reactions into beneficial outcomes by designing the reaction to produce water-soluble halide byproducts that can be easily removed through aqueous washing. This converts what would be harmful contaminants into easily separable substances, improving both yield and safety.
3Reliability
If existing fluorinated additives are used, then the basic electrolyte function is maintained, but stability towards reduction and oxidation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorinated cyclic carbonate provides localized protection at the electrode-electrolyte interface through formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. This localized action at the critical interface region protects the current collector from degradation while maintaining bulk electrolyte stability, addressing the specific stability issue without requiring complete reformulation of the entire electrolyte system.
4Duration of action of moving object
If traditional solvent additives are used, then the electrolyte composition is simple, but cycle life and performance properties are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fluorinated cyclic carbonate as a composite additive combining features of both cyclic carbonate (high dielectric constant, good ionic conductivity) and fluorinated alkyl compound (high stability, low reactivity). This composite molecular structure provides multiple benefits simultaneously: enhanced cycle life through improved SEI stability, maintained ionic conductivity, and increased oxidation resistance, without requiring complex mixtures of multiple additives.
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 fluorinated cyclic carbonates improve the performance of lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors by increasing stability, cycle life, and energy density, and allow for higher voltage operation, while also providing protection against over-charging and enhancing the stability of the electrolyte composition.
Implementation Method 1
the compounds of the present invention advantageously show a higher stability towards reduction and/or oxidation. Alternatively, the compounds of the present invention advantageously show a high stability towards oxidation while having a relatively low stability towards reduction. This property can lead to an increased performance of the battery, e.g. by modifying the electrodes of the battery, specifically by the formation on a protective layer on the electrode.
Implementation Method 2
The compounds of the invention can suitably assist in the protection against over-charging, for example, by serving as a redox shuttle.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns methods for the manufacture of ethylene carbonate substituted with a fluorinated alkoxy group, certain ethylene carbonates substituted with a fluorinated alkoxy group as well as their use as solvent or solvent additive for lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors.