Gel Polymer Electrolyte Crosslinked Matrix for Battery Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium rechargeable batteries using liquid electrolytes face risks of explosion due to lithium dendrite growth and leakage, while solid electrolytes have unstable interfaces with electrodes, limiting their performance.
Innovation Solution
A gel polymer electrolyte is developed with a multi-component crosslinked polymer matrix, a dissociable salt, and an organic solvent, where the polymer matrix is formed by crosslinking at least three different monomers with carboxylic, acrylate, and cyano functional groups, enhancing adhesion and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If liquid electrolyte is used, then adhesion with electrode is improved, but safety deteriorates due to leakage and lithium dendrite growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite gel polymer electrolyte consisting of a polymer matrix (polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol), inorganic filler (silica nanoparticles), and plasticizer (glycerol). This composite structure combines the advantages of liquid electrolytes (good adhesion) with the safety benefits of solid electrolytes, preventing leakage while maintaining electrode contact through the flexible gel network and silica nanoparticle reinforcement.
2Reliability
If solid electrolyte is used, then safety is improved, but adhesion with electrode deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical state of the electrolyte by creating a gel phase through specific compositional ratios and plasticizer addition. The gel structure maintains the safety advantages of solid electrolytes while achieving liquid-like flexibility and adhesion properties, effectively bridging the gap between solid and liquid electrolyte characteristics.
3Strength
If gel polymer electrolyte with crosslinked structure is used, then mechanical properties are improved, but ion conductivity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a heterogeneous structure where crosslinked polymer regions provide mechanical strength and stability, while uncrosslinked or loosely crosslinked regions and silica nanoparticle interfaces provide ion transport pathways. The plasticizer glycerol further creates localized flexible regions that facilitate ion movement, ensuring that mechanical reinforcement does not uniformly compromise ion conductivity throughout the entire electrolyte structure.
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 achieves stable electrolyte-electrode interfaces, improved mechanical properties, and enhanced electrochemical performance, including increased capacity and cycle life, while reducing the risk of battery ignition and explosion.
Implementation Method 1
the multi-component crosslinked polymer matrix has a net structure formed by crosslinking at least three different kinds of crosslinkable monomers, each of the crosslinkable monomers including at least two functional groups selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic group, an acrylate group, and a cyano group
Implementation Method 2
a dissociable salt; and an organic solvent
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are a gel polymer electrolyte, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electrochemical device including the same. According to the present invention, a gel polymer electrolyte including: a multi-component crosslinked polymer matrix; a dissociable salt; and an organic solvent, wherein a content of the multi-component crosslinked polymer matrix is 1 to 50 wt% and the multi-component crosslinked polymer matrix has a net structure formed by crosslinking at least three different kinds of crosslinkable monomers, each of the crosslinkable monomers including at least two functional groups selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic group, an acrylate group, and a cyano group, a method of manufacturing the same using a thermal crosslinking or photo-crosslinking process, and an electrochemical device including the same, may be provided.