Liquefied Gas Electrolyte Additives for Salt Solubility and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical energy storage devices face limitations in electrochemical stability and salt solubility due to the high coulombic attraction between positively and negatively charged ions, leading to reduced performance and conductivity in liquefied gas electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating additives such as tetrahydrofuran in equal molar ratio to lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) in liquefied gas solvents like fluoromethane, which increases the binding energy between solvent and salt ions, enhancing salt solubility and electrochemical stability by separating ions effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrolyte formulations are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but salt solubility and electrochemical stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining liquefied gas solvent with specific additives (cyclic carbonates, chain carbonates, cyclic carboxylic acid esters) to create a composite electrolyte formulation. This composite approach enables improved salt solubility and electrochemical stability that cannot be achieved with conventional single-solvent electrolytes, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and formulation complexity.
2Reliability
If high salt concentration is used, then conductivity is improved, but ion separation is insufficient due to high coulombic attraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses additive molecules (cyclic carbonates, chain carbonates, cyclic carboxylic acid esters) as intermediary substances that position themselves between cations and anions. These intermediary molecules reduce the direct coulombic attraction between oppositely charged ions through solvation, enabling effective ion separation even at high salt concentrations, thus resolving the contradiction between ion separation efficiency and salt concentration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquefied gas solvent is used, then device operating temperature range is expanded, but salt solubility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining liquefied gas solvent with specific additive components. This composite formulation maintains the temperature adaptability benefits of liquefied gas solvents while the added components (cyclic carbonates, chain carbonates, cyclic carboxylic acid esters) provide enhanced salt solubility through improved solvation, resolving the contradiction between temperature range adaptability and salt solubility.
4Productivity
If conventional additives are used, then electrochemical stability is improved, but conductivity and power performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte - specifically using particular ratios of cyclic carbonates (10-40 vol%), chain carbonates (10-40 vol%), and cyclic carboxylic acid esters (10-40 vol%). These parameter adjustments optimize both conductivity and power performance while maintaining electrochemical stability, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and reliability preservation.
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 use of these additives significantly improves salt solubility and conductivity in liquefied gas electrolytes, enabling higher power devices with enhanced electrochemical stability and reduced decomposition reactions, as demonstrated by increased solubility and conductivity across various temperature ranges.
Implementation Method 1
the high coulombic attraction between positively and negatively charged ions, leading to reduced performance and conductivity in liquefied gas electrolytes
Implementation Method 2
Electrochemical energy storage devices, such as batteries and double layer capacitors, utilize an ionic conducting electrolyte solution to carry charge between positive and negative electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
Chemical additives are disclosed to increase solubility of salts in liquefied gas electrolytes.