Lithium Ion Battery Lithiated Zeolite Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion batteries face degradation and reduced cycle performance due to factors like water molecules, hydrogen ions, and transition metal ions, which affect the electrolyte and electrode materials, leading to capacity fade and increased impedance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating lithiated zeolite particles into the lithium ion battery's components, such as the electrolyte, separator, and electrodes, to trap these substances and maintain lithium ion flow, thereby preventing degradation and improving battery life and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electrolyte and electrode materials are used, then the battery can operate and provide power, but the battery experiences degradation and reduced cycle performance due to water molecules, hydrogen ions, and transition metal ions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle performanceVSAvoiddegradation from water molecules, hydrogen ions, and transition metal ions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Lithiated zeolite particles are introduced as intermediary substances within the battery system. These particles act as mediators that selectively interact with harmful substances (water molecules, hydrogen ions, transition metal ions) in the electrolyte, trapping them and preventing their harmful effects on electrode materials while maintaining lithium ion conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Zeolite particles with microporous structures are utilized to trap harmful substances. The porous framework of the zeolite provides selective adsorption sites that capture water molecules, hydrogen ions, and transition metal ions while allowing lithium ions to pass through, thereby protecting electrode materials without compromising battery operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If the battery operates for extended periods, then power delivery is maintained, but capacity fade and increased impedance occur due to electrolyte and electrode material degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidcapacity retention and impedance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Lithiated zeolite particles are pre-positioned within the battery components (electrolyte, separator, or electrodes) before operation begins. These particles proactively trap harmful substances from the outset, preventing degradation reactions before they can occur, thereby maintaining capacity and impedance stability throughout extended operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful substances (water molecules, hydrogen ions, transition metal ions) that would normally cause degradation are converted into beneficial trapped species within the zeolite structure. By trapping these substances, the zeolite particles prevent electrolyte decomposition and electrode material degradation, transforming potential harm into a protective mechanism that extends operational duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 lithiated zeolite particles effectively trap water and transition metal ions, reducing corrosion and capacity fade, maintaining uniform current distribution, and enhancing the mechanical and thermal stability of the battery, thus improving cycle performance and overall battery health.

Implementation Method 1

lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

trap these substances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

converts chemical energy into electrical energy by means of electrochemical reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction-oxidation reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 4

electrolyte for conducting lithium ions between the negative and positive electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10615461B2Lithium ion battery including lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium ion battery includes lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles or “lithiated zeolite particles” positioned along at least a portion of a lithium ion transport path through the electrochemical cell. The lithiated zeolite particles may be positioned within the lithium ion transport path through the electrochemical cell, for example, by being distributed throughout an electrolyte disposed between confronting anterior surfaces of a negative electrode and a positive electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the lithiated zeolite particles may be positioned within the lithium ion transport path through the electrochemical cell by being distributed throughout or deposited as a coating layer on the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and/or a porous separator sandwiched between the confronting anterior surfaces of the negative and positive electrodes.