Gelled Electrode for Flexible Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face safety issues due to the use of liquid electrolytes, which are flammable and lead to poor safety and relatively low energy density, especially in high-power applications like electric vehicles, necessitating the development of safer and more efficient energy storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
The combination of at least one gelled electrode with a liquid electrolyte and a standard separator in an electrochemical device, where the gelled electrode is composed of an electronic conductive substrate and a gelled electrode-forming composition, and the liquid electrolyte includes organic carbonates and/or ionic liquids with metal salts, enabling the creation of flexible/foldable devices with high electric capacity and reduced filling time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolyte is used in lithium-ion batteries, then high ionic conductivity and good interface with electrodes are achieved, but safety issues occur due to leakage and flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining gel polymer electrolyte (containing LiPF6 salt) with liquid electrolyte components (cyclic carbonates and chain carbonates). This composite approach creates a hybrid electrolyte system that maintains the high ionic conductivity of liquid electrolytes while incorporating the safety benefits of gel polymers, effectively reducing flammability and leakage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters of the electrolyte by forming a gel structure that retains liquid electrolyte components. The gel electrolyte contains LiPF6 metal salt dispersed in a matrix of cyclic and chain carbonates, transforming the electrolyte from purely liquid to a gel state with improved safety properties while maintaining ionic conductivity.
2Quantity of substance
If liquid electrolyte is used, then good interface with electrodes is achieved, but energy density remains relatively low for high power applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by integrating gel polymer matrix with liquid electrolyte components (cyclic carbonates like EC, PC and chain carbonates like DMC, DEC). This composite structure enables higher energy density suitable for high power applications while the gel framework provides inherent safety improvements by preventing leakage and reducing flammability.
3Quantity of substance
If gelled electrode is used with higher loading of electro-active materials, then areal capacity is improved, but electrode structure may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible gel electrolyte membrane that can accommodate higher loading of electro-active materials on electrodes. The gel structure acts as a flexible binding medium that holds electrode components together, maintaining structural integrity even with increased material loading, while allowing the electrode to flex without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel electrolyte serves as a composite material combining polymer matrix with liquid electrolyte components, creating a structured yet flexible medium that supports high areal capacity electrodes. The composite structure provides mechanical strength to prevent electrode damage while accommodating higher electro-active material content.
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
This configuration results in flexible/foldable electrochemical devices with high areal capacity and improved safety, as the gelled electrodes allow for higher loading of electro-active materials without damaging the electrode structure, and the process significantly reduces the time required for filling the device with the liquid electrolyte.
Implementation Method 1
drying the electronic conductive substrate coated with the gelled electrode-forming composition
Implementation Method 2
The dissolved electrolyte splits into cations and anions, which disperse through the solvent in a uniform manner
Implementation Method 3
Such a solution is electrically neutral, and conducting ionically and electronically insulating
Implementation Method 4
the hydrolysis and condensation of metal alkoxides in the presence of pre-formed organic polymers
Implementation Method 5
the hydrolysis and condensation of metal alkoxides in the presence of pre-formed organic polymers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrochemical device comprising a) a positive electrode, b) a negative electrode, c) a separator, and d) a liquid electrolyte, wherein at least one of said positive electrode and said negative electrode is a gelled electrode comprising an electronic conductive substrate and directly adhered onto the electronic conductive substrate, at least one layer of a gelled electrode-forming composition, and wherein the d) liquid electrolyte comprises at least one organic carbonate and/or at least one ionic liquid, and at least one metal salt. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing an electrochemical device comprising at least one gelled electrode.