Gel Electrolyte Separator Composition for Conductivity and Ductility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gel polymer electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries suffer from poor room-temperature conductivity and mechanical properties due to the addition of inorganic fillers, which reduces their safety and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A modified gel electrolyte separator is prepared using a slurry comprising nano-scale silica as an inert filler, polyethylene oxide (PEO) as a high polymer, a modified high block copolymer as a dispersant, an acrylic binder with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent, and dichloromethane (DCM) as an organic solvent, enhancing mechanical and electrochemical properties while providing high-temperature heat resistance and flame retardancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic fillers are added to gel polymer electrolyte to improve room-temperature conductivity, then ionic conductivity increases, but mechanical properties deteriorate and the material becomes brittle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining gel polymer electrolyte with inorganic fillers (Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2) and lubricating additives (graphite, MoS2). This composite approach allows the inorganic fillers to enhance ionic conductivity while the lubricating additives compensate for mechanical brittleness, achieving both improved conductivity and maintained mechanical flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lubricating additives as intermediary substances between the gel polymer matrix and inorganic fillers. These additives act as mediators that reduce the brittleness induced by fillers while maintaining the conductive pathways, thus resolving the contradiction between conductivity enhancement and mechanical integrity
2Reliability
If inorganic fillers are added to gel polymer electrolyte to increase ionic transference number, then electrochemical performance improves, but production difficulty increases due to brittleness
Solution Approach 1:
The composite formulation with lubricating additives makes the electrolyte less brittle and more processable during manufacturing, while still achieving high ionic transference number through the inorganic filler content, thus improving both electrochemical performance and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameters of inorganic fillers (5-50 μm) and controls the content ratios of various components to achieve the right balance between ionic transference number and mechanical flexibility for manufacturability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If gel polymer electrolyte is used to replace liquid electrolyte to avoid leakage, then safety improves, but room-temperature conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gel polymer electrolyte is formulated as a composite material containing inorganic fillers and lubricating additives, which creates conductive pathways within the gel matrix to maintain high room-temperature conductivity while preserving the leakage-free advantage of gel electrolytes over liquid electrolytes
Solution Approach 2:
The gel polymer electrolyte utilizes a porous gel matrix structure that accommodates ionic conduction pathways, allowing high conductivity at room temperature while maintaining the physical containment benefits of gel structure that prevent leakage
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 modified gel electrolyte separator exhibits improved mechanical and electrochemical properties, high-temperature heat resistance, and flame retardancy, making it suitable for lithium-ion batteries with enhanced safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersant: 5‰ to 2%... the dispersant is a modified high block copolymer
Implementation Method 2
a binder: 5‰ to 3%... the binder is an acrylic binder with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent
Implementation Method 3
an organic solvent: 85% to 97%... the organic solvent is dichloromethane (DCM)
Implementation Method 4
electrolytes play an important role in conducting lithium ions in the battery
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a modified gel electrolyte separator, and a preparation method and use thereof, belonging to the technical field of novel battery separator materials. The modified gel electrolyte separator is prepared through impregnation in a modifying slurry including: in weight fraction, a nano functional material: 2% to 12%; a high polymer: 2‰ to 1%; a dispersant: 5%o to 2%; a binder: 5%o to 3%; and an organic solvent: 85% to 97%, wherein the nano functional material is silica; the high polymer is polyethylene oxide; the dispersant is a modified high block copolymer; the binder is an acrylic binder with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as a solvent; and the organic solvent is dichloromethane. The modified gel electrolyte separator shows high-temperature heat resistance, flame retardancy, and high ductility, as well as significantly improved mechanical and electrochemical properties, and exhibits broad application prospects in the preparation of lithium-ion batteries.