Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Metal Dendrite Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium metal batteries face issues with dendrite growth due to side reactions between lithium metal and electrolyte, leading to short circuits and reduced lifespan, and existing gel-type polymer electrolytes have high resistance and decompose at high voltages, limiting their use.
Innovation Solution
A lithium metal battery design incorporating a gel-type polymer electrolyte composed of a crosslinked polymer and liquid electrolyte, using a multifunctional polymerizable monomer and specific compounds to reduce interfacial and bulk resistance, along with a separator and protective layer to minimize dendrite formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium metal is used as anode active material to achieve higher capacity, then capacity is improved, but dendrite growth occurs due to side reactions with electrolyte
Solution Approach 1:
A gel-type polymer electrolyte layer is introduced as an intermediary between the lithium metal anode and the liquid electrolyte. This gel layer acts as a protective interface that suppresses direct contact and side reactions, thereby preventing dendrite growth while allowing lithium ion transport to maintain high capacity
2Reliability
If existing gel-type polymer electrolyte is used to suppress dendrite growth, then reliability is improved, but resistance is high and decomposition occurs at high voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte system uses a composite structure combining gel-type polymer electrolyte and liquid electrolyte. The gel-type polymer electrolyte provides dendrite suppression and interfacial stability, while the liquid electrolyte component maintains low resistance and high ionic conductivity, preventing decomposition at high voltages
3Reliability
If carbon-based anode active material is used to achieve stability, then reliability is improved, but capacity is small
Solution Approach 1:
The gel-type polymer electrolyte layer serves as a protective intermediary that enables the use of lithium metal anode by suppressing side reactions and dendrite growth. This allows the system to achieve both high capacity from lithium metal and improved stability through the protective gel interface
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 design provides improved high-rate characteristics and lifespan by reducing interfacial and bulk resistance, enhancing lithium ion transfer, and suppressing dendrite growth, resulting in a more stable and efficient lithium metal battery.
Implementation Method 1
the crosslinked polymer including a polymerization product of a multifunctional polymerizable monomer and one or more selected from a compound of Formula 1 and a compound of Formula 1-1
Implementation Method 2
the liquid electrolyte containing a lithium salt and an organic solvent
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Provided are a lithium metal battery and a manufacturing method therefor, the lithium metal battery including: a cathode; an anode current collector; and an electrolyte layer arranged between the cathode and the anode current collector, wherein the electrolyte layer includes a gel-type polymer electrolyte, and the gel-type polymer electrolyte includes a crosslinked polymer and a liquid electrolyte containing a lithium salt and an organic solvent, the crosslinked polymer including a polymerization product of a multifunctional polymerizable monomer and one or more selected from a compound of Formula 1 and a compound of Formula 1-1. Descriptions of Formula 1 and Formula 1-1 are as set forth in the detailed description.