Gel Polymer Electrolyte Crosslinking Gradient for Leak-Resistant Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium polymer batteries using gel polymer electrolytes face challenges with lower ion conductivity and higher resistance compared to liquid electrolyte-based batteries, leading to reduced lifespan and safety concerns due to electrolyte leakage risks.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing lithium secondary batteries with a gel polymer electrolyte that involves partial crosslinking of the electrolyte, where the core portion has a lower crosslinking degree for flowability and the peripheral portion has a higher crosslinking degree for enhanced ion conductivity and mechanical strength, achieved through a radical thermal initiation reaction process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the crosslinking degree of the gel polymer electrolyte is increased, then mechanical strength and leakage resistance are improved, but ion conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by establishing a spatial gradient in crosslinking degree within the gel polymer electrolyte. By controlling the crosslinking reaction to proceed non-uniformly, the electrolyte achieves high mechanical strength in regions with higher crosslinking density while maintaining adequate ion conductivity in regions with lower crosslinking density, thereby resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Strength
If uniform crosslinking is applied throughout the gel polymer electrolyte, then mechanical properties are improved, but processing complexity increases and additional equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a crosslinking system that automatically creates a non-uniform crosslinking distribution without requiring external control mechanisms or additional equipment. The crosslinking reaction proceeds spontaneously with natural gradients, allowing the electrolyte to self-organize its internal structure to achieve the desired balance between mechanical strength and ion conductivity, thus avoiding increased processing 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 approach improves both ion conductivity and mechanical properties of the battery, reducing the risk of electrolyte leakage while maintaining processing efficiency without the need for additional devices or systems, resulting in a battery with extended lifespan and enhanced safety.
Implementation Method 1
carrying out crosslinking of the composition for forming a gel polymer electrolyte; wherein step (S2) is carried out in a heating device, the heating device being preheated to a predetermined temperature before carrying out step (S2)
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery has a structure including an internal core portion containing an electrolyte having a relatively lower crosslinking degree, and surrounded with a peripheral portion containing an electrolyte having a relatively higher crosslinking degree. It is possible to provide an effect of improving both ion conductivity and mechanical properties by virtue of such structural characteristics. The electrolyte portion having a lower crosslinking degree is confined by the electrolyte having a higher crosslinking degree to provide an effect of preventing electrolyte leakage. The secondary battery can be obtained by a simple method that includes crosslinking only the peripheral portion before the core portion reaches to a crosslinking temperature and is crosslinked under an environment preheated to the crosslinking temperature or higher. As a result, there is no adverse effect upon the processing efficiency, since any separate device or system line is not required to carry out the crosslinking.