Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte for High-Voltage Safety and Kinetics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-aqueous electrolyte systems in lithium-ion batteries face challenges with high-voltage, cycle, and safety performance, particularly in lithium cobalt oxide or high nickel ternary systems, where overcharge and hot box safety are concerns due to poor oxidation resistance, easy decomposition, and flammability of conventional carbonate solvents.

Innovation Solution

A lithium-ion battery design incorporating a positive electrode plate with a mixed non-aqueous electrolyte comprising a carbonate solvent and a high oxidation potential solvent, selected from specific compounds, which enhances electrochemical and safety performance by combining high oxidation resistance and non-flammability, thereby improving kinetic and safety features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional carbonate solvents are used in non-aqueous electrolyte systems, then the battery can achieve acceptable kinetic performance, but the oxidation resistance, safety performance, and stability under high voltage are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation resistanceVSAvoidkinetic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite solvent system comprising cyclic carbonate, chain carbonate, and sulfone compounds in specific proportions (cyclic carbonate 10-30%, chain carbonate 70-85%, sulfone 5-20%). This composite approach combines the high dielectric constant and good solubility of cyclic carbonate, the low viscosity and high conductivity of chain carbonate, and the high oxidation resistance of sulfone compounds, achieving both kinetic performance and oxidation resistance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If high voltage systems are implemented to increase energy density, then the energy capacity improves, but the cycle performance, storage performance, and safety performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcycle performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by introducing sulfone compounds (1,3-propanesultone or 1,4-butanesultone) at specific concentrations (5-20%). These parameter changes modify the electrolyte's oxidation resistance and stability characteristics, enabling the battery to operate safely at high voltages (4.2-4.35V) while maintaining good cycle performance (80% capacity retention after 500 cycles) and storage performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If lithium cobalt oxide or high nickel ternary materials are used to achieve high capacity, then the energy density improves, but the overcharge safety and hot box safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecapacityVSAvoidsafety performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sulfone compounds in the electrolyte act as intermediaries that form protective films on the cathode material surface during initial cycles. These films (SEI layers) mediate between the high-capacity lithium cobalt oxide or high nickel ternary materials and the electrolyte, preventing direct harmful reactions, suppressing oxygen release, and improving overcharge tolerance. This intermediary layer enables safe operation of high-capacity materials at elevated temperatures without hot box incidents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 battery exhibits improved electrochemical performance under high temperature and voltage, enhanced safety with reduced gas generation and combustion risks, and increased kinetic performance, addressing the limitations of conventional solvents in terms of oxidation resistance and stability.

Implementation Method 1

the high oxidation potential solvent include at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by formula I and a compound represented by formula II... combine advantages of high oxidation resistance and non-flammability of the high oxidation potential solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation resistance: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

combine advantages of high oxidation resistance and non-flammability of the high oxidation potential solvent with advantages of low viscosity and a high dielectric constant of the carbonate solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric constant: Dielectric Permittivity

Implementation Method 3

non-aqueous electrolyte systems that use lithium hexafluorophosphate as a conductive lithium salt and cyclic carbonate and/or linear carbonate as a solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3836278B1Lithium ion battery, battery module, battery pack, and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3836278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3836278B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3836278B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application provides a lithium-ion battery, a battery module, a battery pack, and an apparatus. The lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode plate includes Li1+xNiaCobMe(1-a-b)O2-cYc, where -0.1≤x≤0.2, 0.8≤a<1, 0<b<1, 0<(1-a-b)<1, 0≤c<1, Me is selected from one or more of Mn, Al, Mg, Zn, Ga, Ba, Fe, Cr, Sn, V, Sc, Ti, and Zr, and Y is selected from one or more of F, Cl, and Br. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a non-aqueous solvent and a lithium salt, where the non-aqueous solvent includes a carbonate solvent and a high oxidation potential solvent, and the high oxidation potential solvent is selected from one or more of compounds represented by formula I and formula II. While ensuring a high energy density of the lithium-ion battery, this application can not only improve electrochemical performance of the lithium-ion battery under high temperature and high voltage and improve safety performance such as overcharge safety and hot box safety of the lithium-ion battery, but also ensure that the lithium-ion battery has some kinetic performance.