Hybrid Separating Membrane for Battery Electrolyte Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical energy storage systems, such as lithium and sodium-ion batteries, face challenges in preventing the migration of chemical species across the electrolyte, which affects battery performance and lifespan, especially when the system components need to be flexible enough to be rolled up.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid separating membrane composed of a non-porous polymer matrix and ionically conductive inorganic particles is used, where the inorganic particles are dispersed within the polymer matrix, creating a film that is impermeable to electrolyte solvents and allows only cationic species to pass through, while blocking other chemical species, allowing for different electrolyte compositions on either side of the membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a porous separator impregnated with electrolyte is used, then ion conductivity is ensured, but chemical species can migrate through the pores causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite separator consisting of a porous polymer matrix impregnated with electrolyte and coated with a ceramic layer containing ionically conductive particles. This composite structure combines the ion conductivity of the porous polymer electrolyte with the migration-blocking properties of the ceramic coating, resolving the contradiction between ensuring ion transport and preventing harmful chemical species migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator exhibits different properties in different regions: the bulk porous polymer matrix provides ion conductivity and electrolyte retention, while the surface ceramic coating provides selective barrier functionality. This local differentiation of properties allows the single component to simultaneously achieve both ion transport and migration prevention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different electrolyte solutions are used for anode and cathode, then electrochemical performance is optimized, but physical separation is required preventing species migration
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic-coated porous separator acts as a selective barrier that physically separates the anode and cathode electrolyte solutions while maintaining ionic connectivity. This allows different electrolyte compositions to be used on each side of the separator without allowing harmful chemical species to diffuse across, enabling optimization of electrochemical performance for each electrode independently.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-porous polymer matrix is used, then chemical species migration is blocked, but ion conductivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a porous polymer matrix (which provides ion conductivity through electrolyte impregnation) with a ceramic coating containing ionically conductive particles (which blocks chemical species migration while allowing ion transport). The porous structure maintains electrolyte retention and ion conductivity, while the ceramic layer provides the selective barrier function.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a porous polymer matrix as the base separator material allows for electrolyte impregnation, ensuring ion conductivity pathways are maintained. The porosity enables the electrolyte to fill the structure and provide continuous ionic conduction while the ceramic coating prevents harmful species migration.
4Reliability
If a protective ceramic layer is applied, then electrode surface is protected, but flexibility for rolling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic coating is applied as a thin film layer on the porous separator, maintaining the overall flexibility of the separator structure. The thin film provides protective functionality without creating a rigid structure that would prevent rolling or bending during battery assembly, unlike thicker ceramic layers or rigid protective structures.
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 solution effectively prevents the diffusion of unwanted chemical species between electrodes, maintaining battery performance and enabling the use of varied electrolyte compositions, thus enhancing the electrochemical stability and adaptability of the battery system.
Implementation Method 1
the inorganic phase consists of a set of particles of at least one ionically conductive inorganic material
Implementation Method 2
the organic phase constitutes a non-porous polymer matrix that is impermeable to the electrolyte solvents
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid separating membrane made of a composite material including a non-porous polymer matrix and particles of an ionically conductive inorganic material dispersed in the polymer matrix, to the use of such a membrane as separator in an electrical energy storage system, as well as to a system for storing electrical energy, especially an electrochemical accumulator such as a lithium or sodium secondary battery (rechargeable) comprising at least one such separating membrane.