Magnesium Borohydride Electrolyte for Reversible Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrolytes for magnesium batteries are corrosive, incompatible with the magnesium anode, and fail to achieve high capacity density and coulombic efficiency, particularly due to the formation of ion-blocking layers and the need for chloride-free inorganic salts.

Innovation Solution

A novel electrolyte system using magnesium salts with specific formulas (Mg(BX4)2 and Mg(BXHy)z) dissolved in aprotic solvents like tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dimethoxyethane (DME), combined with chelating agents and acidic cation additives, enabling reversible magnesium deposition and stripping without halides, increasing current density and coulombic efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional inorganic and ionic salts such as Mg(ClO4)2 are used as electrolytes, then the battery structure is simple, but they form ion-blocking layers on the Mg anode that prevent reversible Mg deposition and stripping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereversible Mg deposition and strippingVSAvoidion-blocking layer formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by using magnesium salts with specific formulas (Mg(BX4)2 and Mg(BXHy)z where X=3-12, y=8-12 and z=1-2) dissolved in aprotic solvents, which fundamentally alters the interaction between electrolyte and Mg anode to prevent ion-blocking layer formation while maintaining reversible Mg deposition and stripping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The electrolyte is formulated as a composite system combining specific magnesium salts with aprotic solvents and additives (chelating agents and acidic cation additives), creating a multi-component system that synergistically prevents ion-blocking layer formation while enabling high-performance reversible Mg deposition and stripping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If organomagnesium salts and complexes are used as electrolytes, then reversible electrochemical Mg deposition and stripping is achieved, but the materials are corrosive and difficult to utilize in a battery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereversible electrochemical Mg deposition and strippingVSAvoidcorrosiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from organomagnesium salts to inorganic magnesium salts with specific formulas (Mg(BX4)2 and Mg(BXHy)z) dissolved in aprotic solvents, changing the chemical nature of the electrolyte to eliminate corrosiveness while preserving reversible electrochemical Mg deposition and stripping capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs chloride-free inorganic salts that are more stable and easier to handle than organomagnesium compounds, sacrificing some complexity in salt selection to gain significant improvements in stability, ease of use, and reduced corrosiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If higher capacity density is pursued in magnesium batteries, then more energy can be stored, but current electrolytes fail to provide the necessary current densities and coulombic efficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity densityVSAvoidcurrent density and coulombic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes electrolyte composition parameters including salt concentration (0.1-4.0 M), solvent selection (aprotic solvents and ionic liquids), and additive concentrations to simultaneously achieve high capacity density, high current density, and high coulombic efficiency by controlling ion transport and electrode interface properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces chelating agents and acidic cation additives as intermediary substances that mediate between the magnesium salt and the electrode surfaces, facilitating efficient Mg ion transport and improving both current density and coulombic efficiency while enabling high capacity density operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system allows for stable, high-capacity magnesium batteries with improved current densities and coulombic efficiencies, demonstrating reversible magnesium deposition and stripping with enhanced electrochemical performance and compatibility with magnesium metal anodes.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

Magnesium cations are reversibly stripped and deposited between the anode and cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical deposition: Electrodeposition

Implementation Method 3

Conventional inorganic and ionic salts such as Mg(ClO4)2 may be incompatible with the Mg anode due to the formation of an ion-blocking layer formed by their electrochemical reduction.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS9312566B2Magnesium borohydride and its derivatives as magnesium ion transfer media

Publication Date: 2016.04.12 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

The electrolyte includes a magnesium salt having the formula Mg(BX4)2 where X is selected from H, F and O-alkyl. The electrolyte also includes a solvent, the magnesium salt being dissolved in the solvent. Various solvents including aprotic solvents and molten salts such as ionic liquids may be utilized.