Free-Solvent-Free Lithium Sulfonimide Salts for Battery Electrolytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium salts are solid at room temperature, and achieving a high molar concentration of liquid lithium salts without solvents is challenging, limiting their application in lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors, as solvents are flammable and reduce the concentration of lithium ions available for electrical energy flow.
Innovation Solution
A method to synthesize free-solvent-free lithium sulfonimide salt compositions by contacting anhydrous lithium sulfonimide salts with anhydrous ether-based solvents under inert conditions and removing the excess solvent, resulting in a liquid composition at room temperature, which is essentially an adduct of lithium sulfonimide salt and ether-based solvent molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If lithium salts are dissolved in solvents to achieve liquid state at room temperature, then the liquid state is achieved, but the concentration of lithium ions is reduced and fire risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the solvent from the lithium salt solution through vacuum evaporation and other drying methods, leaving only the lithium salt in a liquid state. This extraction process eliminates the harmful solvent while preserving the liquid state and high concentration of lithium ions, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving liquid state and maintaining high lithium ion concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the lithium salt system by controlling the removal of solvent molecules, transforming the system from a dilute solution to a concentrated solvent-free liquid. This parameter change (from solution to pure salt liquid) enables the lithium salt to maintain liquid state at room temperature while achieving maximum lithium ion concentration without flammable solvents.
2Temperature
If solvents are used to achieve liquid electrolyte, then liquid state is achieved, but fire risk and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention systematically removes the solvent component from the electrolyte system through vacuum evaporation and drying processes, extracting the flammable element while retaining the essential liquid state. This extraction eliminates fire risk associated with conventional solvent-based electrolytes while maintaining the liquid form necessary for battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful flammable solvent into a beneficial process by using controlled vacuum evaporation to remove the solvent, transforming a fire hazard into a purification advantage. The removal process, which initially appears to remove a necessary component, actually eliminates the fire risk while preserving the liquid state through the formation of a unique solvent-free liquid structure.
3Loss of substance
If conventional methods are used to remove solvent from lithium salt solution, then solvent is removed, but the lithium salt returns to solid state
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary actions by carefully controlling the solvent removal process through staged vacuum evaporation and maintaining specific temperature conditions during drying. This preliminary control prevents the lithium salt from crystallizing into solid form, preserving the liquid state even after complete solvent removal. The preliminary establishment of proper temperature and pressure conditions ensures the final product remains liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies parameter changes by precisely controlling temperature, pressure, and evaporation rate during the solvent removal process. By maintaining temperatures below the melting point of the lithium salt while applying vacuum to remove solvent, the system transitions from solution to liquid salt without passing through solid state. This parameter control transforms the conventional outcome (solid salt) into the desired outcome (liquid salt).
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 resulting free-solvent-free lithium sulfonimide salts are liquid at room temperature, offering a high concentration of lithium ions and eliminating the risk of solvent-related fires, enhancing their suitability for lithium-based batteries and supercapacitors by providing a stable, non-flammable electrolyte.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one anhydrous ether-based solvent in the solution comprises a free portion that is not adducted to the at least one anhydrous lithium sulfonimide salt
Implementation Method 2
removing substantially all of the free portion of the at least one ether-based solvent in the solution
Data Source
AI summary
Free-solvent-free lithium sulfonimide salt compositions that are liquid at room temperature, and methods of making free-solvent-free liquid lithium sulfonimide salt compositions. In an embodiment, the methods include mixing one or more lithium sulfonimide salts with one or more ether-based solvents and then removing the free solvent(s) under suitable vacuum, temperature, and time conditions so as to obtain a free-solvent-free liquid lithium sulfonimide salt composition that is liquid at room temperature. In an embodiment, the only solvent molecules that remain in the liquid lithium sulfonimide salt composition are adducted with lithium sulfonimide salt molecules. An example automated processing system for making free-solvent-free liquid lithium sulfonimide salts is also disclosed.