Gel Electrolyte Additives for Lithium Battery Swelling and Cycle Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable lithium batteries face challenges in improving capacity and cycle-life characteristics, particularly at high temperatures, due to issues like swelling and uncharged regions in gel polymer electrolytes, which affect electrode wettability and solid electrolyte interface formation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating LiPO2F2 and a sultone-based compound, such as 1,3-propene sultone or 1,3-propane sultone, into the gel electrolyte to reduce uncharged regions, enhance electrode interface formation, and suppress swelling, thereby improving battery capacity and high-temperature cycle-life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gel polymer electrolyte is used to enable various battery shapes, then adaptability is improved, but swelling occurs and cycle-life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the gel polymer electrolyte by incorporating specific additives (cyclic carbonate 5-20 vol%, chain carbonate 80-45 vol%, lithium salt 5-20 wt%). This parameter optimization reduces swelling and improves cycle-life while maintaining shape adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining multiple components: cyclic carbonate, chain carbonate, lithium salt, and gel polymer matrix. This composite approach synergistically improves both adaptability and reliability by balancing flexibility with structural stability
2Ease of manufacture
If gel polymer electrolyte is used for battery fabrication, then ease of manufacture is improved, but uncharged regions form and capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the electrolyte composition parameters (cyclic carbonate 5-20 vol%, chain carbonate 80-45 vol%, lithium salt 5-20 wt%) to improve wettability and eliminate uncharged regions, thereby increasing capacity while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent improves local quality of the electrolyte by ensuring uniform distribution and penetration into electrode pores through optimized composition, eliminating uncharged regions and maximizing active material utilization
3Device complexity
If conventional electrolyte composition is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but high temperature performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrolyte composition parameters (ratios of cyclic to chain carbonate, lithium salt concentration) to enhance high-temperature stability and suppress swelling, achieving improved temperature performance with controlled complexity
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 LiPO2F2 and sultone-based compounds in the electrolyte leads to improved capacity, extended cycle-life, and reduced swelling, maintaining high performance even after hundreds of cycles and at elevated temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a gel electrolyte including LiPO2F2 and a sultone-based compound selected from 1,3-propene sultone, 1,3-propane sultone, or combinations thereof
Implementation Method 2
the gel electrolyte may include a polymer. Prior to polymerization, the electrolyte may have a viscosity of greater than or equal to 4 cp at 25 °C
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable lithium battery includes a negative electrode including a negative active material, a positive electrode including a positive active material, and an electrolyte including LiPO2F2 and a sultone-based compound.