Heterogeneous Battery Electrolyte Layout for Wider Voltage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary batteries face issues with solvent or additive decomposition due to high or low potential side reactions, leading to battery performance deterioration and limited operating voltage range.
Innovation Solution
A heterogenous electrolyte-based secondary battery design featuring a cathode, anode, and separator with a polymer-based solid electrolyte, where the catholyte and anolyte have different compositions, utilizing a polymer resin and electrolyte to selectively permeate lithium ions while suppressing electrolyte flowability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electrolyte is used in the battery, then the battery structure is simple, but the operating voltage range is limited due to decomposition or unwanted byproducts from high-potential or low-potential side reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte is divided into two separate compartments: a catholyte containing oxidation-stable components for the cathode side, and an anolyte containing reduction-stable components for the anode side. This segmentation allows each electrolyte component to operate within its stable potential range, preventing decomposition and unwanted byproduct formation, thereby enabling a wider operating voltage range without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrolyte compositions are applied to different locations within the battery system. The catholyte is specifically designed with oxidation-stable solvents and additives suitable for the cathode interface, while the anolyte is designed with reduction-stable components suitable for the anode interface. This local optimization of electrolyte properties allows each side to operate at its optimal stability conditions, expanding the overall operating voltage range
2Reliability
If liquid electrolytes are used, then the battery has good ionic conductivity, but safety deteriorates due to combustion caused by ambient temperature and temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs gel polymer electrolytes as composite materials that combine the advantages of liquid electrolytes (good ionic conductivity) with the safety benefits of solid polymers (combustion resistance). The gel structure incorporates liquid electrolyte components within a polymer matrix, maintaining ion transport capability while eliminating the combustion risks associated with pure liquid electrolytes at ambient and elevated temperatures
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer solid electrolytes are used, then safety is improved by suppressing combustion, but electrolyte flowability deteriorates leading to limited lithium ion permeation
Solution Approach 1:
The gel polymer electrolyte creates a composite structure where liquid electrolyte components are embedded within a polymer matrix. This composite approach maintains the combustion resistance of solid polymers while the incorporated liquid electrolyte phases provide channels for lithium ion transport, effectively resolving the contradiction between safety and ion permeation
Solution Approach 2:
The gel polymer electrolyte structure creates a porous or networked architecture within the polymer matrix that allows lithium ions to permeate through the solid electrolyte. The porous structure provides pathways for ion transport while maintaining the overall solid polymer framework that ensures combustion resistance and structural stability
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 design allows for a wide operating voltage range with minimized side reactions, enabling the use of solvents and additives with poor stability, enhancing battery performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer-based solid electrolyte comprises a polymer resin and an electrolyte, and the catholyte and the anolyte have different compositions
Implementation Method 2
impregnating a separator with a polymer-based solid electrolyte
Data Source
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AI summary
A heterogenous electrolyte-based secondary battery includes: a cathode impregnated with a catholyte; an anode impregnated with an anolyte; and a separator interposed between the cathode and anode and including a polymer-based solid electrolyte, wherein the polymer-based solid electrolyte comprises a polymer resin and an electrolyte, and the catholyte and the anolyte have different compositions.