Lithium-Sulfur Battery Electrolyte Suppressing Gas Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-sulfur batteries face issues with gas generation and swelling due to the use of conventional electrolyte solvents, leading to reduced sulfur utilization and battery performance, with no effective countermeasures for the swelling phenomenon.
Innovation Solution
An electrolyte solution for lithium-sulfur batteries comprising a non-aqueous solvent mixture of cyclic ether and linear ether, along with a lithium salt and an additive with N—O bonds, which reduces gas generation and enhances stability, specifically formulated to minimize swelling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mixed solvent of 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) is used as electrolyte solvent, then sulfur utilization rate is improved, but gas generation increases causing battery swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte solvent by replacing DOL and DME with a specific mixture of cyclic carbonate (EC, PC) and chain carbonate (DMC, DEC) solvents. This parameter change eliminates gas generation while maintaining electrochemical performance, resolving the contradiction between sulfur utilization and gas generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite electrolyte solvent system combining cyclic carbonate and chain carbonate solvents in specific ratios. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of different carbonate solvents to achieve both high sulfur utilization and zero gas generation, overcoming the limitations of single-solvent or DOL-DME mixed systems.
2Reliability
If conventional electrolyte solvents are used, then battery operation is maintained, but swelling phenomenon occurs causing battery deformation and performance decline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrolyte composition from conventional DOL-DME-based solvents to a carbonate-based solvent system with specific cyclic-to-chain ratio. This parameter change prevents gas generation that causes swelling, thereby maintaining battery shape stability and preventing deformation while ensuring continuous reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of gas generation into a benefit by selecting carbonate solvents with appropriate electrochemical stability windows that prevent gas-forming side reactions. The electrolyte composition is optimized to suppress parasitic reactions that would generate gas, turning a problematic conventional system into a gas-free stable operating system.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrolyte solution for a lithium-sulfur battery and a lithium-sulfur battery including the same.The electrolyte solution for a lithium-sulfur battery according to the present invention exhibits excellent stability, and may improve a swelling phenomenon by suppressing gas generation during lithium-sulfur battery operation.