Gel Polymer Electrolyte with Acetonitrile for Lithium Dendrite Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries using carbon-based anode active materials face limitations in capacity, while lithium metal anodes cause dendrite formation leading to short circuits and degradation, and existing solid electrolytes, including gel polymer electrolytes, have insufficient ion conductivity and transfer rates.
Innovation Solution
A gel polymer electrolyte composed of a crosslinked product of multifunctional acryl-based and urethane acryl-based monomers with a PFPE unit, combined with a liquid electrolyte containing acetonitrile, enhances lithium ion mobility and distribution, preventing dendrite formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal anode is used to increase capacity, then battery capacity is improved, but lithium dendrite formation occurs causing short circuits and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A gel polymer electrolyte is introduced as an intermediary layer between the lithium metal anode and the cathode. This gel polymer electrolyte contains a crosslinked polymer matrix that physically restrains lithium dendrite growth while maintaining lithium ion conductivity, thus preventing short circuits while enabling the use of high-capacity lithium metal anodes
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte system uses a composite structure combining gel polymer electrolyte with liquid electrolyte containing acetonitrile. The gel polymer provides mechanical strength and dendrite suppression, while the liquid electrolyte component ensures high lithium ion conductivity, creating a synergistic system that addresses both capacity and safety requirements
2Reliability
If solid electrolytes are used to control lithium dendrites, then dendrite growth is suppressed, but ion conductivity and transfer rate are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solid electrolyte by incorporating a gel polymer matrix with specific crosslinking density and combining it with liquid electrolyte components. This creates a semi-solid gel electrolyte with optimized parameters that simultaneously provides dendrite suppression capability and high lithium ion conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte combines gel polymer electrolyte and liquid electrolyte in a composite structure, where the gel polymer provides mechanical integrity for dendrite control and the liquid electrolyte component (with acetonitrile) provides high ion conductivity, achieving both reliability and performance
3Ease of manufacture
If gel polymer electrolyte is used for easy manufacture, then manufacturing ease is improved, but ion transfer rate is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the composition parameters of the gel polymer electrolyte by selecting specific monomers (multifunctional acryl-based monomer with three or more polymerizable functional groups) and controlling crosslinking density, while also optimizing the liquid electrolyte composition including acetonitrile content, to achieve both ease of manufacture and high ion transfer rate
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 gel polymer electrolyte improves lithium ion mobility, leading to increased battery capacity, extended lifespan, and reduced resistance by uniformly distributing lithium ions, thus enhancing the performance of lithium secondary batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a gel polymer electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery... mobility of lithium ions is improved
Implementation Method 2
the gel polymer is i) a crosslinked product of a multifunctional acryl-based monomer having three or more polymerizable functional groups
Implementation Method 3
the liquid electrolyte includes a lithium salt, an organic solvent, and acetonitrile
Data Source
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AI summary
A lithium secondary battery including a gel polymer electrolyte. The gel polymer electrolyte includes a gel polymer and a liquid electrolyte, wherein the gel polymer is i) a crosslinked product of a multifunctional acryl-based monomer having three or more polymerizable functional groups, or ii) a crosslinked product of a first polymerizable monomer and a second polymerizable monomer, wherein the first polymerizable monomer is a multifunctional acryl-based monomer having three or more polymerizable functional groups, and the second polymerizable monomer is at least one selected from among a urethane acryl-based monomer having two or more polymerizable functional groups and a polymerizable monomer including a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) unit and having two or more polymerizable functional groups, and the liquid electrolyte includes a lithium salt, an organic solvent, and acetonitrile.