Ionogel Electrolyte Exchange for Lithium-Ion Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ionogels for lithium-ion batteries face incompatibility issues due to byproducts like water and alcohols trapped in the solid-phase matrix, which hinder ion transport performance and are difficult to remove without destroying the electrolyte.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming an ionogel with a solid-phase matrix and a first liquid, then immersing it in a second liquid that replaces the first liquid within the pores, allowing for the displacement of unwanted byproducts and incorporation of a suitable electrolyte, such as bis(fluoromethanesulfonyl)imide or lithium perchlorate, to enhance ion transport characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ionogel formation methods are used, then the ionogel can be formed with a solid-phase matrix, but byproducts like water and alcohols are trapped in the pores making the ionogel incompatible with lithium-ion battery electrode chemistries
Solution Approach 1:
The ionogel is formed first with a temporary liquid electrolyte that is compatible with the formation process, then the liquid electrolyte is exchanged afterward to remove harmful byproducts. This preliminary formation followed by exchange allows the system to achieve both proper structure formation and chemical compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A temporary liquid electrolyte acts as an intermediary substance during the ionogel formation process. This intermediary allows the formation of the solid-phase matrix structure while being subsequently replaceable with the final desired electrolyte composition that is compatible with lithium-ion battery electrodes.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional means of removal of byproducts are employed, then byproducts can be removed, but the liquid electrolyte trapped in the pores is simultaneously removed or destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful byproducts are extracted from the ionogel pores through a liquid electrolyte exchange process. The desired liquid electrolyte is introduced and selectively replaces the harmful byproducts while remaining retained in the porous matrix, achieving purification without loss of the functional liquid component.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition parameters of the liquid phase in the pores are changed through exchange. By controlling the solubility and chemical properties of the exchanged electrolyte, the system transforms the pore contents from harmful byproducts to desirable electrolyte while maintaining the liquid phase state necessary for ion transport.
3Reliability
If liquid electrolytes well-suited for lithium ion batteries are used, then ion transport characteristics are improved, but these electrolytes cannot be used during formation without removing byproducts
Solution Approach 1:
The ionogel structure is formed preliminarily using a temporary liquid electrolyte that is compatible with the formation process and can tolerate the presence of byproducts. After the structure is established, the electrolyte is exchanged to the final desired composition that provides optimal ion transport for lithium-ion batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
A temporary liquid electrolyte serves as an intermediary during the formation process. This intermediary electrolyte enables successful formation by being compatible with the chemical environment, then it is replaced by the final electrolyte that provides the desired ion transport characteristics for battery operation.
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 approach enables the creation of an ionogel suitable for lithium-ion batteries with improved ion transport and compatibility, overcoming the limitations of conventional ionogel formation methods.
Implementation Method 1
immersing it in a second liquid that replaces the first liquid within the pores, allowing for the displacement of unwanted byproducts
Implementation Method 2
The resulting ionogel has ion transport characteristics that are similar to those of the liquid electrolyte disposed therein
Data Source
AI summary
An ionogel is formed by mixture of precursors, a catalyst, and an ionic liquid to form a sol-gel. The precursors and the catalyst react to form a solid-phase matrix that includes pores, wherein the ionic liquid is disposed within the pores. The gel is dried by way of thermal or vacuum drying to remove liquid byproducts of the precursor-catalyst reaction and to form a solid-state ionogel that comprises the solid-phase matrix with the ionic liquid disposed therein. The ionogel is immersed in a quantity of a liquid electrolyte that is soluble in the ionic liquid. As the liquid electrolyte dissolves into the ionic liquid, the ionic liquid is displaced by the liquid electrolyte, yielding an ionogel having the liquid electrolyte disposed within its pores.