In-Situ Polymer Electrolyte Network for Stable Lithium Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-situ solid-state polymer electrolytes (ISPE) face challenges in balancing high ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and stable interfacial properties, limiting their application in lithium secondary batteries due to low mechanical strength and unstable electrode-electrolyte interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving in-situ polymerization using high steric hindrance monomers and highly reactive crosslinkers to create a three-dimensional network structure, enhancing ionic conductivity and mechanical strength while stabilizing the electrode-electrolyte interface, achieved by mixing specific monomers, crosslinkers, and lithium salts, followed by in-situ polymerization within a cell with a porous skeleton film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid-state polymer electrolytes with high crystallinity are used, then mechanical strength and interfacial stability are improved, but ionic conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a segmented structure where crystalline regions provide mechanical strength and interfacial stability, while amorphous regions provide ion transport channels. The electrolyte composition includes crystalline polymer segments (for strength) and amorphous plasticizer segments (for ionic conductivity), allowing each region to perform its specialized function locally without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining crystalline polymer electrolyte components with amorphous plasticizer components to form a heterogeneous composite structure. This composite allows simultaneous achievement of high mechanical strength from the crystalline phase and high ionic conductivity from the amorphous phase, resolving the contradiction between these two properties
2Reliability
If highly flexible solid-state polymer electrolytes are used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a segmented structure where crystalline regions provide mechanical strength and interfacial stability, while amorphous regions provide ion transport channels. The electrolyte composition includes crystalline polymer segments (for strength) and amorphous plasticizer segments (for ionic conductivity), allowing each region to perform its specialized function locally without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining crystalline polymer electrolyte components with amorphous plasticizer components to form a heterogeneous composite structure. This composite allows simultaneous achievement of high mechanical strength from the crystalline phase and high ionic conductivity from the amorphous phase, resolving the contradiction between these two properties
3Reliability
If in-situ polymerization is used to improve interfacial compatibility, then electrode electrolyte interface properties are improved, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrolyte formation process with the battery assembly process by performing in-situ polymerization directly within the battery cell during manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for separate electrolyte preparation and interface treatment steps, reducing overall production complexity while achieving excellent interfacial compatibility between the polymer electrolyte and electrode surfaces
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 method results in solid-state polymer fast ionic conductors with improved ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and stable interfaces, leading to increased energy density, coulombic efficiency, and cycling stability of lithium secondary batteries.
Implementation Method 1
in-situ polymerization at 30-80°C for 0.5 hours (h)-48 h to obtain a solid-state polymer fast ionic conductor
Implementation Method 2
Solid-state polymer electrolytes transport ions through the movement of polymer chain segments
Implementation Method 3
mixing 15-30 parts by mass of high steric hindrance monomer and 5-10 parts by mass of crosslinker
Implementation Method 4
removing water by molecular sieve
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for preparing fast ionic conductors based on in-situ polymerization, which uses the spatial resistance volume effect to widen ion migration channels by copolymerizing high spatial resistance monomers with highly reactive crosslinkers, resulting in shorter ion transport paths and substantially higher ionic conductivity of in-situ solid-state polymer electrolytes; also, the high spatial resistance monomers and highly reactive crosslinkers synergistically construct a three-dimensional network structure with both high mechanical strength and stable electrode electrolyte interface properties.