Halide Organic Salt Cathode for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries using conversion-type halides face issues such as instability, leakage, and poor electron shuttle efficiency due to the volatility of iodine and corrosiveness of bromine, along with limited cycle lifespan and confinement of halide species within hosts.
Innovation Solution
A halide organic salt comprising a protonated hydrocarbon as the host and a halogen as the guest, where the hydrocarbon is capable of binding to the halogen in different valence states, enhancing host-guest affinity and retention of halide ions, thereby improving confinement and electron transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If elemental halides (I2, Br2) are used as cathode materials, then high redox potentials and capacities are achieved, but volatility, corrosiveness, and leakage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces organic mediators (conductive polymers, carbon materials, or molecularly imprinted polymers) as intermediary substances between the halide active material and the electrolyte. These mediators facilitate electron transfer and ion transport while physically confining the halide species, preventing their direct contact with the electrolyte and thereby eliminating leakage and corrosiveness while maintaining high redox potentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible organic host structures (such as conductive polymer matrices or thin film coatings) that encapsulate the halide active material. These flexible shells provide physical containment to prevent volatility and leakage of I2 and Br2, while their conductive nature allows efficient electron transfer to maintain high power output.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional porous hosts are used for halide electrodes, then simple fabrication is achieved, but poor host-guest interaction leads to limited cycle lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the host material by introducing functional groups (such as amine, carboxyl, or hydroxyl groups) that can form specific interactions with halide species. This changes the host-guest interaction from weak physical adsorption to strong chemical coordination, significantly improving cycle lifespan while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional synthesis methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite host structures combining conductive materials (for electron transfer) with halide-binding materials (for strong interaction). This composite approach simultaneously achieves good electrical conductivity, strong host-guest interaction for extended cycle life, and maintains relatively simple fabrication processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If physical adsorption is used for halide confinement, then easy preparation is achieved, but poor interaction leads to halide loss during cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces functional intermediary groups within the host structure that act as binding sites for halide species. These intermediaries (such as nitrogen-containing groups in conductive polymers) form strong coordinate bonds with halides, preventing their loss during cycling while maintaining the overall simplicity of the preparation process through conventional polymerization or assembly methods.
4Quantity of substance
If non-conductive halide materials are used, then high theoretical capacity is achieved, but poor electron shuttle efficiency limits redox kinetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces conductive intermediary materials (such as conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, or graphene) that act as electron shuttles between the non-conductive halide active material and the current collector. These intermediaries provide efficient electron transport pathways, dramatically improving redox kinetics while allowing the use of high-capacity non-conductive halide materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite structures combining non-conductive halide materials with conductive host materials. This composite approach maintains the high theoretical capacity of the halide while the conductive component ensures efficient electron shuttle and fast redox kinetics, resolving the contradiction between capacity and reaction rate.
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 solution significantly enhances redox kinetics and cycle durability, achieving near-theoretical capacities and extended cycle lifespan, while ensuring safety and stability by suppressing halide leakage and improving electron shuttle efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the protonated hydrocarbon capable of binding to the halogen in the different valance states of the halogen required for the operation of the electrode
Implementation Method 2
improving electron shuttle efficiency
Implementation Method 3
enhances redox kinetics and cycle durability, achieving near-theoretical capacities
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a range of halide organic salts and their use in a cathode of an electrical cell and in batteries. Elemental halides have attracted intense interest as promising electrodes for energy storage. However, they suffer from a number of inherent physicochemical drawbacks, including the volatility of iodine, the corrosiveness of liquid bromine. The salts of the present invention may serve as a cathode matched with a zinc anode avoiding these issues.