High-Flash-Point Carbonate Electrolyte With Stable Ionic Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrolytes for lithium batteries have low flash points, leading to explosion risks and thermal runaway, and existing flame retardants either degrade battery performance or are economically and environmentally unfavorable.

Innovation Solution

A linear organic carbonate-based electrolyte with specific substituents and additives, such as fluoroethylene carbonate, that achieves a flash point of 70°C or higher and maintains high ionic conductivity, while being non-toxic and cost-effective, thereby reducing fire risks and enhancing battery stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional linear organic carbonate electrolyte is used, then the battery can operate, but the flash point is low causing explosion risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflash pointVSAvoidexplosion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of the organic carbonate by introducing specific substituents (alkoxyalkyl, alkyl sulfanyl, alkyl amino groups) at controlled positions. This structural parameter change increases the flash point from conventional low values to 70°C or higher, directly resolving the explosion risk while maintaining electrolyte functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining the modified linear organic carbonate with specific additives (fluoroethylene carbonate and other electrolyte additives). This composite approach enhances flame retardancy through synergistic effects while preserving ionic conductivity and battery performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If excessive phosphorous or halogen-based flame retardants are added, then flame retardancy is improved, but battery performance degrades and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame retardancyVSAvoidbattery performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for excessive phosphorous or halogen-based flame retardants by incorporating flame-retardant functional groups directly into the carbonate molecular structure. This removes the harmful dependency on additive-based flame retardants that degrade battery performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The modified linear organic carbonate acts as an intermediary substance that provides flame retardancy through its intrinsic molecular structure rather than through additive-based mechanisms. This intermediary approach avoids the side reactions and performance degradation caused by conventional flame retardant additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high concentration of salt is used to eliminate flammability, then flame retardancy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and viscosity increases causing poor wettability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflammabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by using modified organic carbonate structures with inherent flame-retardant properties. This eliminates the need to increase salt concentration to achieve flame retardancy, thereby maintaining acceptable viscosity and wettability while reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If excessive cyclic carbonate is used to secure flame retardancy, then flame retardancy is improved, but viscosity increases and low temperature conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame retardancyVSAvoidlow temperature conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular structure parameters by using modified linear organic carbonates with built-in flame-retardant groups rather than relying on cyclic carbonate additives. This structural modification achieves flame retardancy without the viscosity increase and low-temperature conductivity degradation associated with excessive cyclic carbonate usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 electrolyte exhibits excellent flame retardancy, high ionic conductivity, and stable battery operation with extended lifespan, preventing fires and thermal runaway even at elevated temperatures, and maintaining performance without increasing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

have high ionic conductivity to enable high power and stable battery operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

show flame retardant properties which prevent fire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame retardancy: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS20240105999A1Organic carbonate-based high flash point electrolyte

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

Provided are an electrolyte which includes a linear organic carbonate compound having a specific substituent, an electrolyte additive, and a lithium salt, has a flash point of 70° C. or higher, and shows an ionic conductivity of 0.05 mS/cm or higher at room temperature in a polyolefin based commercial separator condition, and a lithium secondary battery including the same.