Functionalized Lithium-Sensing Materials for Battery Electrolytes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for materials that can detect and quantify alkaline elements, particularly cationic lithium, in a stable and efficient manner within the electrolytic liquid medium of metal alkaline-ion batteries to monitor their state of operation and degradation, as existing methods lack precision and real-time monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Development of functionalized materials, including polymers and inorganic compounds with aromatic rings and imine substituents, that undergo complexation with alkaline elements, leading to changes in optical properties such as absorbance or fluorescence, allowing for their detection and quantification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used for alkaline elements in battery electrolytes, then the detection process is simple, but the measurement precision and real-time monitoring capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by functionalizing specific regions of polymer or inorganic materials with aromatic rings containing imine substituents and atoms with free doublets. These localized functional groups provide high detection precision for lithium ions through complexation, while the rest of the material structure can be optimized for stability and compatibility with battery electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining polymers or inorganic materials with specifically functionalized aromatic groups. This composite approach enables the material to simultaneously achieve high measurement precision through the functional groups and maintain structural stability and electrochemical compatibility through the base material matrix.
2Measurement precision
If functionalized materials with aromatic rings and imine substituents are used to detect alkaline elements, then the detection precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the aromatic ring substituents, the types of atoms with free doublets, and the polymer or inorganic material base. These parameter adjustments allow optimization of detection precision for different alkaline elements while managing manufacturing complexity through controlled chemical modification rather than complete material redesign.
3Reliability
If existing detection methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to monitor battery degradation in real-time is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the optical detection signals from the functionalized materials to provide real-time information about lithium ion concentration and battery degradation. This feedback mechanism enables continuous monitoring of battery health, allowing for timely detection of degradation phenomena such as lithium plating and SEI layer growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional electrical or mechanical detection systems with optical detection based on fluorescence or absorbance changes. This substitution improves reliability by providing non-intrusive, real-time monitoring capability while the complexity is managed through the use of well-established optical measurement techniques.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If materials are used that undergo complexation with alkaline elements, then the detection capability is improved, but the device complexity and material synthesis difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the complexation functionality in specific aromatic ring groups with imine substituents and free doublet atoms, while the rest of the material structure remains relatively simple and stable. This localized functional approach enhances detection capability without requiring complete complexity throughout the entire material structure.
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
These materials enable precise detection and quantification of alkaline elements, facilitating real-time monitoring of battery health and degradation, thereby improving battery management and extending battery lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
by a mechanism that involves a complexation and a change in a given optical magnitude (for example, the absorbance or the fluorescence)
Implementation Method 2
a change in a given optical magnitude (for example, the absorbance or the fluorescence)
Data Source
AI summary
A material that can be used for detecting at least one alkaline element in cationic form chosen from polymers or inorganic materials, the material being functionalised by at least one group, referred to as group A, comprising one or more aromatic rings, the or all or a portion of the aromatic rings comprising at least one imine substituent and the or all or a portion of the aromatic rings comprising at least one atom carrying a free doublet within the or all or a portion of the rings and/or at least one other substituent different from an imine substituent comprising at least one atom carrying a free doublet.