Lithiated Additive Electrodes for Stable SEI Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Li-ion battery electrolytes are costly, cumbersome, and inefficient, limiting battery lifetime and performance, particularly for high-capacity and high-voltage cathodes paired with silicon anodes, due to electrolyte decomposition and surface instability issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating functional lithiated agent-containing additives into the electrodes, such as 2-Thienyllithium, to form a stable artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) or cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) layer, enhancing surface stability and improving cycle life, rate capability, and power density without increasing impedance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electrolytes are used in Li-ion batteries, then the battery can operate, but the electrolyte decomposes and causes surface instability, limiting battery lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifetimeVSAvoidelectrolyte decomposition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A functional lithiated agent-containing additive is introduced as an intermediary substance between the electrolyte and electrode. This additive forms a stable artificial SEI or CEI layer that mediates the interaction between electrolyte and electrode, preventing direct harmful reactions while maintaining ionic conductivity. The additive acts as a protective intermediary that resolves the contradiction by enabling battery operation without electrolyte decomposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The functional lithiated agent-containing additive is incorporated into the electrode structure before battery assembly and operation. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the stable artificial SEI or CEI layer is already in place before the battery begins cycling, preventing electrolyte decomposition from the outset rather than attempting to address it after the problem occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If high-capacity and high-voltage cathodes are paired with silicon anodes, then battery capacity increases, but surface instability and electrolyte decomposition worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidsurface stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The functional lithiated agent-containing additive provides localized protection at the electrode-electrolyte interface where it is most needed. By incorporating the additive specifically into the electrode structure, the solution creates a stable artificial SEI or CEI layer precisely at the surface region experiencing instability, while the bulk electrode materials maintain their high-capacity properties. This local quality approach resolves the contradiction by protecting the surface without compromising the overall battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrolyte systems are used, then battery assembly is straightforward, but the system is costly and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery assembly simplicityVSAvoidirreversible capacity loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the electrode by incorporating a functional lithiated agent-containing additive. This parameter change transforms the electrode's surface properties to form a stable artificial SEI or CEI layer, which reduces irreversible capacity loss and electrolyte decomposition. The additive is incorporated in small amounts (e.g., 0.1-5 wt%), maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving battery performance and reducing energy loss.

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 functional lithiated agents in Li-ion batteries results in improved cycle life, rate capability, and power density, while reducing irreversible capacity loss and electrolyte decomposition, thus enhancing overall battery performance and stability.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArtificial SEI/CEI layer formation:

Data Source

PatentUS11616235B2Functional lithiated agent-containing additives in Li-ion battery electrodes

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 ENEVATE CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for batteries comprising a cathode, an electrolyte, and an anode, wherein one or both electrodes contain a functional lithiated agent-containing additive.