Lithium-Sulfur Battery Electrolyte for Dendrite-Suppressing Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-sulfur batteries face issues with lithium dendrite formation and electrolyte decomposition, leading to performance degradation and short battery life.

Innovation Solution

An electrolyte solution for lithium-sulfur batteries is developed, containing a heterocyclic compound with a double bond and an oxygen or sulfur atom as an additive. This additive forms a polymer protective film on the lithium-based metal surface through ring-opening polymerization, inhibiting dendrite growth and reducing electrolyte decomposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If lithium metal is used as negative electrode material, then energy density is improved, but dendrite formation and electrolyte decomposition occur leading to poor reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidbattery lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A disulfine compound is introduced as an intermediary substance in the electrolyte that mediates between lithium metal and the electrolyte. The disulfine compound reacts with lithium to form a protective film that prevents direct contact between lithium and the electrolyte, thereby preventing dendrite formation and electrolyte decomposition while maintaining high energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The disulfine compound performs preliminary action by reacting with lithium metal before the electrolyte can cause damage. This preliminary reaction forms a protective interface layer that prevents subsequent harmful reactions, ensuring battery reliability from the outset

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If physical protective films are formed on lithium surface, then battery stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery stabilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective film is formed through self-service mechanism where the disulfine compound in the electrolyte automatically reacts with lithium metal to form the protective layer. This eliminates the need for external pretreatment processes or additional manufacturing steps, reducing device complexity while maintaining battery stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The disulfine compound serves as a chemical intermediary that automatically forms the protective film through chemical reactions, replacing complex physical coating processes with a simple chemical self-assembly approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional electrolyte additives are used, then some protection is provided, but stable protective films that conduct lithium ions while blocking electrons are difficult to form

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective film stabilityVSAvoidadditive selection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the electrolyte additive by using disulfine compounds with specific molecular structures (R-S(=O)=C=S-R). This parameter change enables the formation of protective films with optimal properties: lithium ion conductivity while blocking electrons, solving the difficulty of finding suitable additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of the electrolyte solution with the heterocyclic additive enhances the uniformity of lithium reactivity, suppresses lithium dendrite formation, and improves the overall lifetime characteristics of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Implementation Method 1

This additive forms a polymer protective film on the lithium-based metal surface through ring-opening polymerization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRing-opening polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

inhibiting the formation of lithium dendrite

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDendrite suppression:

Implementation Method 3

reducing the decomposition and side reactions of electrolyte solution on the surface of the lithium-based metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolyte decomposition prevention:

Data Source

PatentUS12334501B2Electrolyte for lithium-sulfur battery and lithium-sulfur battery comprising same

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Discussed is an electrolyte solution for a lithium-sulfur battery including a lithium salt, an organic solvent and an additive, and a lithium-sulfur battery including the same, wherein the additive includes a heterocyclic compound containing at least one double bond, and a heterocycle of the heterocyclic compound comprises an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.