Gel-Polymer Semi-Solid Electrodes for Longer Battery Cycle Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, suffer from reduced charge capacity and shorter cycle life due to internal oxidation, structural changes, and physical wear, leading to decreased energy density and increased inactive component ratios, which limits their performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The development of semi-solid electrodes with a polymer additive, which increases the active material loading, reduces tortuosity, and enhances electronic conductivity, allowing for thicker electrodes with improved rheological properties and stability, thereby extending cycle life and maintaining energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solid electrodes are used, then manufacturing is simple, but charge capacity retention and cycle life are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrode from solid to semi-solid by incorporating gel polymer electrolyte, which improves charge capacity retention and cycle life while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrode structure combining active material particles, conductive additive, and gel polymer electrolyte, achieving enhanced reliability through the synergistic effects of different materials while maintaining ease of manufacture
2Quantity of substance
If electrode thickness is increased to improve energy density, then capacity increases, but tortuosity increases and ionic conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrolyte state from liquid to gel polymer, which maintains ionic conductivity in thicker electrodes by providing a stable matrix that prevents particle aggregation and maintains conductive pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The gel polymer electrolyte acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates ion transport between active material particles in thick electrodes, reducing tortuosity effects and maintaining ionic conductivity
3Stability of the object's composition
If binder is added to conventional electrodes, then structural stability improves, but tortuosity increases and electronic performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the binder component from the electrode formulation and replaces it with gel polymer electrolyte, which provides structural stability through its gel matrix while maintaining electronic performance by not interfering with electron transport pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the functional role of the gel polymer electrolyte to simultaneously provide structural stability and maintain electronic performance, eliminating the need for separate binder and conductive additive components
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having semi-solid electrodes that include a gel polymer additive such that the electrodes demonstrate longer cycle life while significantly retaining the electronic performance of the electrodes and the electrochemical cells formed therefrom. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode can include about 20% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 0.5% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, and about 20% to about 70% by volume of an electrolyte. The electrolyte further includes about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of a polymer additive. In some embodiments, the electrolyte can include about 0.1% to about 0.7% of the polymer additive.