Ion-Modified Cellulose Electrolyte for Safer Aqueous Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power storage devices face environmental impact and safety concerns due to the use of organic solvents in electrolytes, and existing cellulose-based electrolytes lack ionic functionality as charge carriers.

Innovation Solution

Introduce ionic groups into cellulose to create ion-modified cellulose, which can function as a charge carrier in electrolytes, using naturally-derived cellulose as a raw material, allowing for an aqueous electrolyte with reduced environmental impact and enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If organic solvent is used as liquid electrolyte, then voltage resistance is improved, but safety and environmental impact deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage resistanceVSAvoidsafety and environmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by introducing ionic groups into cellulose molecules, transforming it from a non-conductive natural polymer to an ionic charge carrier that can function in aqueous electrolytes with good voltage resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite electrolyte system combining naturally-derived cellulose with ionic groups, merging the advantages of natural materials (environmental friendliness) with ionic functionality (charge carrier capability and voltage resistance)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If aqueous electrolyte is used, then environmental impact and safety are improved, but voltage resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impact and safetyVSAvoidvoltage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the electrolyte composition by incorporating ion-modified cellulose into the aqueous electrolyte, enabling the system to maintain both the safety and environmental benefits of water-based electrolytes while achieving adequate voltage resistance through the ionic functionality of the modified cellulose

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If cellulose nanofibers are used as thickening agent, then viscosity is improved, but charge carrier functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoidcharge carrier functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention fundamentally changes the chemical parameters of cellulose by introducing ionic groups, transforming it from a neutral thickening agent to an active ionic charge carrier that can transport charges in the electrolyte

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ion-modified cellulose serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thickening agent to control electrolyte viscosity and as an ionic charge carrier to enable charge transport, eliminating the need for separate functional additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If synthetic materials are used in electrolyte, then performance is improved, but environmental impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte performanceVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite material system using naturally-derived cellulose as the base polymer and introducing ionic groups through chemical modification, achieving both synthetic-like ionic performance and natural material environmental benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical structure of natural cellulose by introducing ionic groups, enabling naturally-derived materials to achieve performance levels previously only attainable with synthetic electrolyte components

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 use of ion-modified cellulose as a charge carrier in power storage devices provides a safer and more environmentally friendly electrolyte solution, utilizing water as a medium and reducing the need for dry room management.

Implementation Method 1

cellulose into which an ionic group is introduced (ion-modified cellulose) can be used as a charge carrier in an electrolyte for a power storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4685833A1Electrolyte for power storage device containing ion-modified cellulose

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NIPPON PAPER IND CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an electrolyte for a power storage device such as a capacitor or a secondary battery, the electrolyte containing, as a charge carrier, a substance having a low environmental load and high safety. The electrolyte for a power storage device uses an ion-modified cellulose as a charge carrier. The ion-modified cellulose is preferably anion-modified cellulose, and may be anion-modified cellulose nanofibers.