Hydroxylated Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Electrode Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries face safety issues due to flammability, corrosion, leakage, and thermal instability of liquid electrolytes, and gel polymer electrolytes suffer from reduced contact area, lower electrochemical stability, and ionic conductivity, with poor adhesion to electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A gel polymer electrolyte composed of poly(4-hydroxybutyl acrylate) or poly(4-hydroxybutyl methacrylate) is developed, using a specific ratio of monomer and crosslinking agent, with an in-situ polymerization process to enhance adhesion, electrochemical stability, and ionic conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gel polymer electrolytes are manufactured outside a lithium ion battery and then inserted, then safety issues are improved, but the contact area between electrodes and electrolyte is remarkably decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The gel polymer electrolyte is prepared in advance with optimized composition ratios (monomer:crosslinking agent = 70:30 to 90:10) and undergoes in-situ polymerization within the battery structure before operation, ensuring maximum contact area is achieved during the preliminary preparation phase rather than after insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrolyte system by using specific monomer-to-crosslinking agent ratios (70:30 to 90:10), controlling polymerization conditions, and adjusting gel content (20-80 wt%) to achieve optimal balance between safety and contact area
2Reliability
If gel polymer electrolytes are used, then safety issues are improved, but adhesion between electrodes and electrolyte is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The gel polymer electrolyte acts as an intermediary material between the electrodes and the external environment, with its hydroxyl-containing polymer chains forming hydrogen bonds with electrode surfaces, thereby mediating strong adhesion while maintaining safety benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the hydroxyl group content through selection of specific monomers (4-hydroxybutyl acrylate or methacrylate) and controls the degree of polymerization to optimize adhesion strength, achieving lap shear strength greater than 0.5 N/cm
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 exhibits improved adhesion, electrochemical stability equivalent to liquid electrolytes, and ionic conductivity of 10−3 S/cm, suitable for flexible batteries and complete filling of electrode spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer formed by polymerizing a monomer of 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate (HBA) or a monomer of 4-hydroxybutyl methacrylate (HBMA)
Data Source
AI summary
A gel polymer electrolyte provided, including: a polymer formed by polymerizing a monomer of 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate (HBA) represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 or a monomer of 4-hydroxybutyl methacrylate (HBMA) represented by the following Chemical Formula 2; and a crosslinking agent, and a method for preparing the same.