Gel Polymer Electrolyte Matrix for High-Conductivity Lithium Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid electrolyte-based lithium-ion batteries face risks of decomposition and leakage at high potentials, while solid electrolytes exhibit low ion mobility and electron transport efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A gel-type polymer electrolyte is developed using a polymer matrix formed by polymerizing PMVEMA and GMA, which is designed to enhance ion conductivity and prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If liquid electrolyte is used, then ion mobility is high, but leakage and decomposition occur at high potential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion mobilityVSAvoidstability at high potential

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite gel-type electrolyte system combining liquid electrolyte components (lithium salt, organic solvent) with a polymer matrix (PMVEMA-GMA). This composite structure provides the high ion mobility of liquid electrolytes while the polymer network prevents leakage and enhances stability at high potentials, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from purely liquid to gel-phase by incorporating the PMVEMA-GMA polymer matrix. This parameter change maintains the ionic conductivity characteristics of liquid electrolytes while adding the structural stability and leak-proof properties of solid gels, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing ion mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If solid electrolyte is used, then leakage is prevented, but ion mobility and electron transport efficiency are low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidion mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a gel-type composite electrolyte that combines the leakage-prevention advantage of solid electrolytes with the high ion mobility of liquid electrolytes. The PMVEMA-GMA polymer matrix provides structural integrity and leak-proof properties, while the incorporated lithium salt and organic solvent maintain high ionic conductivity, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the gel-phase, which is an intermediate state between solid and liquid phases. This phase transition approach allows the electrolyte to exhibit both the structural stability of solids (preventing leakage) and the high ion mobility of liquids, effectively resolving the contradiction between reliability and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Speed

If polymer with functional groups is used, then ion mobility is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion mobilityVSAvoidpolymer synthesis complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrolyte system into distinct functional components: the PMVEMA-GMA polymer matrix providing structural framework, lithium salt providing ionic conductivity, and organic solvent facilitating ion transport. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured separately, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high ion mobility through the functional groups in the polymer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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-type polymer electrolyte achieves higher ion conductivity than conventional solid electrolytes and prevents leakage issues associated with liquid electrolytes, making it suitable for lithium secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

The PMVEMA-GMA may be synthesized by a dehydration reaction between a hydroxide of a carboxyl group on the surface of the PMVEMA and a hydroxide of the GMA through a ring opening reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDehydration reaction:

Implementation Method 2

The PMVEMA-GMA may be synthesized by a dehydration reaction between a hydroxide of a carboxyl group on the surface of the PMVEMA and a hydroxide of the GMA through a ring opening reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRing opening reaction:

Implementation Method 3

oxygen atoms help lithium ions to hop because lithium ions are stable when existing as cations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon hopping:

Data Source

PatentUS20250140918A1Polymer for gel-type polymer electrolyte, gel-type polymer electrolyte including same, and secondary battery including same

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 KONKUK UNIV IND COOP CORP

AI summary

Proposed is a polymer for a gel-type polymer electrolyte of a secondary battery, in which the polymer is PMVEMA-GMA, which is a polymer obtained by polymerizing (methylvinylether-alt-maleic acid) (PMVEMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). A gel-type polymer electrolyte including the polymer as a matrix, and a lithium secondary battery including the gel-type polymer electrolyte are also proposed. The polymer of the present disclosure complements a limitation of a liquid electrolyte such as leakage and has a higher ion conductivity than a solid electrolyte. Aside from the advantages, the gel-type polymer electrolyte according to the present disclosure has a higher ion conductivity than a conventional gel-type polymer electrolyte that is based on poly(methylvinylether-alt-maleic acid) (PMVEMA) added with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) because it can be dissolved well in highly volatile tetrahydrofuran (THF) and thus can be dried at a low temperature.