Lactone Electrolyte for Fire-Resistant Graphene Li-Ion Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion batteries face safety concerns due to flammable carbonate electrolytes, which can ignite during short circuits, and suffer from lower energy and power densities when replaced with non-flammable alternatives that are incompatible with graphene-based electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A lithium-ion energy storage device featuring a fire-resistant electrolyte comprising lactone, such as gamma-butyrolactone, combined with graphene or reduced graphene oxide electrodes, providing both safety and high energy and power densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If flammable carbonate electrolytes are used in lithium-ion batteries, then high energy and power densities are achieved, but fire hazard increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating flame-retardant additives (such as phosphorus-containing compounds, fluorinated carbonates, or cyclic carboxylic acid esters) into the traditional carbonate electrolyte system. This modifies the electrolyte's flammability parameter while attempting to maintain its energy storage performance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining traditional carbonate solvents (like EC, DMF, DMC) with flame-retardant additives. This composite approach seeks to achieve both the high energy density of carbonate electrolytes and the fire resistance of the additive components, resolving the contradiction between energy performance and safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-flammable alternative solvents (ionic liquids, fluoroethers, organosilicon compounds, organophosphate compounds) are used to replace carbonate electrolytes, then fire hazard is reduced, but energy and power densities decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of different electrolyte types by combining flame-retardant additives with traditional carbonate electrolytes. This hybrid approach seeks to capture the fire resistance of alternatives like ionic liquids and fluoroethers while maintaining the high energy density characteristics of carbonate-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal electrolyte formulation that can serve multiple functions: maintaining high energy density like carbonate electrolytes, providing fire resistance like alternative solvents, and ensuring compatibility with various electrode materials including graphene-based electrodes. This multi-functional electrolyte aims to resolve the trade-off between safety and performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-flammable alternative solvents are used, then fire resistance is improved, but compatibility with graphene electrode materials deteriorates due to strong catalytic activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the chemical parameters of the electrolyte composition by selecting specific flame-retardant additives with controlled reactivity toward graphene. By modifying concentrations and selecting compounds with appropriate catalytic activity levels, the patent seeks to maintain electrode compatibility while achieving fire resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the carbonate electrolyte base as an intermediary medium that facilitates ion transport between electrodes while the flame-retardant additives provide safety functions. This intermediary approach allows the system to benefit from both the electrochemical performance of carbonates and the fire resistance of additives without direct harmful interactions between flame-retardant compounds and graphene electrodes.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are energy storage devices high energy and power densities, cycle life, and safety. In some embodiments, the energy storage device comprise a non-flammable electrolyte that eliminate and/or reduce fire hazards for improved battery safety, with improved electrode compatibility with electrode materials.