Fluorinated Carbonate Electrolyte for High-Voltage Lithium Battery Cycling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary batteries face issues with high-voltage stability and cycle life characteristics due to electrolyte decomposition and dendrite growth, particularly when charged above 4.2 V, and existing electrolytes with fluorine-containing carbonates suffer from low solubility and inadequate SEI formation.

Innovation Solution

An electrolyte composition comprising a fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate and a fluorine-containing linear asymmetric carbonate in a specific volume ratio, forming a stable SEI layer to suppress decomposition and dendrite growth, with a high fluorine content for improved oxidation stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a common non-aqueous carbonate solvent is used as an electrolyte and charging voltage is increased above 4.2 V, then energy capacity is improved, but electrolyte decomposition occurs resulting in deteriorated cycle life characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy capacityVSAvoidcycle life characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by introducing fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate and fluorine-containing linear asymmetric carbonate with specific molecular structures and ratios, enabling the electrolyte to withstand higher charging voltages (4.2-4.5 V) without decomposition, thus simultaneously achieving high energy capacity and maintained cycle life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate (providing high-voltage stability) and fluorine-containing linear asymmetric carbonate (providing good solubility and SEI formation), where each component compensates for the limitations of the other, enabling stable operation at elevated voltages while maintaining cycle life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If fluorine-containing linear symmetric carbonate and fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate are used as electrolyte, then high-voltage stability is improved, but solubility is low causing salt precipitation during long-term storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-voltage stabilityVSAvoidsolubility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate (providing high-voltage stability) with fluorine-containing linear asymmetric carbonate (providing excellent solubility properties), creating a composite electrolyte where the linear asymmetric component acts as a solubility-enhancing carrier that prevents salt precipitation while the cyclic component maintains voltage 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 electrolyte enhances high-voltage stability and cycle life characteristics by forming a stable SEI layer, suppressing electrolyte decomposition and dendrite formation, thereby improving capacity retention rates.

Implementation Method 1

a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) may not be formed on the anode surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSEI formation:

Implementation Method 2

charging the battery at a voltage higher than 4.2 V may cause a decomposition reaction of the electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition reaction: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP4636892A1Electrolyte for lithium secondary battery and lithium secondary battery comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4636892A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4636892A1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP4636892A1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery of the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate and a fluorine-containing linear asymmetric carbonate in a volume ratio of 1:9 to 8:2. Accordingly, the cycle life characteristics and high-voltage stability of a lithium secondary battery including the electrolyte may be improved.