Lithium-Air Electrolyte Membrane With Low-Eutectic Inorganic Melt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-air secondary batteries face performance deterioration due to side reactions between carbon-based electrodes and organic-solvent-based electrolytes, which are volatile and unstable at high temperatures, making stable operation across varying temperatures challenging.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrolyte membrane using an inorganic melt admixture with nitrogen-oxide compounds and a cathode manufacturing method through Joule heating to synthesize a catalyst quickly, ensuring stable operation from low to high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an organic-solvent-based electrolyte is used in lithium-air batteries, then the battery can operate with conventional materials, but the electrolyte is highly volatile and unstable at high temperatures, causing evaporation, leakage, and performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrolyte by transitioning from organic solvents to inorganic molten salts (nitrate and nitrite salts). This parameter change eliminates volatility and thermal instability while maintaining ionic conductivity, allowing the battery to operate reliably across a wide temperature range from -30°C to 150°C
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple inorganic salt components (nitrate salts and nitrite salts) to create a eutectic mixture. This composite electrolyte system leverages the complementary properties of different salts to achieve low melting point, high stability, and broad temperature operability
2Device complexity
If a carbon-based electrode is used in lithium-air batteries, then the battery structure is simple and cost-effective, but side reactions occur between the carbon electrode and organic electrolyte, deteriorating battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic molten salt electrolyte acts as an intermediary that eliminates harmful side reactions between the carbon-based electrode and the electrolyte. Unlike organic electrolytes that react with carbon, the inorganic salt provides a chemically inert environment that maintains electrode integrity and prevents performance deterioration
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrolytes are used, then the battery can be manufactured with standard materials, but the electrolyte evaporates easily and undergoes loss due to leakage, making stable operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the physical state and chemical composition of the electrolyte from volatile organic liquid to non-volatile inorganic molten salt. This parameter change eliminates evaporation and leakage losses, ensuring the electrolyte remains contained and functional throughout the battery's operational lifetime across extreme temperatures
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 electrolyte membrane and cathode enable lithium-air batteries to operate stably across a wide temperature range, enhancing power output and reducing volatility and leakage issues.
Implementation Method 1
an inorganic melt admixture (e.g., solution) including two or more nitrogen-oxide compounds and thus may have a very low eutectic point
Implementation Method 2
a cathode, manufactured by reducing a metal at a fast speed on a carbon material
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an electrolyte membrane for a lithium-air battery, a method of manufacturing the same, a cathode for a lithium-air battery, a method of manufacturing the same, and a lithium-air battery including the electrolyte membrane and the cathode. Particularly, the lithium-air battery includes i) an electrolyte membrane, which is manufactured using an inorganic melt admixture including two or more nitrogen-oxide compounds and thus may have a very low eutectic point, and ii) a cathode, which is manufactured by reducing a metal at a fast speed on a carbon material. As such, the lithium-air battery is capable of stably operating even at low temperatures and providing high power output.