Magnesium Battery Electrolyte Composition for High Ion Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnesium secondary batteries face challenges in achieving high magnesium ion concentrations in electrolytes, leading to suboptimal battery output and stability issues.

Innovation Solution

An electrolyte is produced by mixing a solvent, metal magnesium, and an elemental halogen, resulting in a high magnesium ion concentration and efficient dissolution and deposition reactions, with a coordination number of 4 for magnesium atoms, using a sulfone solvent or ionic liquid, and containing bromide or iodide ions to prevent electrode corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional methods dissolve magnesium salt in sulfone solvent, then the electrolyte can be produced, but the magnesium ion concentration is insufficient leading to suboptimal battery output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnesium ion concentrationVSAvoidbattery output

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the electrolyte by introducing specific additives (halogen compounds and their precursors) that modify the coordination environment of magnesium ions. This increases the magnesium ion concentration from conventional levels to above 0.5 mol/L, directly resolving the contradiction between achievable concentration and battery output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining sulfone solvent with halogen compounds (such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, or bromoform) and their precursors. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of high magnesium ion concentration and stable battery performance that neither component could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If magnesium ion concentration is increased to improve battery output, then productivity improves, but stability and electrode corrosion issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery outputVSAvoidbattery stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces halogen compounds (carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, bromoform) as intermediary substances that mediate between magnesium ions and electrode surfaces. These intermediaries form protective coordination structures that prevent direct corrosive interactions while maintaining high magnesium ion concentration, thus improving both productivity and reliability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harmful effect of high magnesium ion concentration (which can cause electrode corrosion and instability) into a beneficial effect by using halogen compounds to form stable coordination complexes. The halogen atoms act as protective layers that prevent corrosion while allowing high ion concentration to enhance battery output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrolyte composition is used, then manufacturing is simple, but battery performance and cycle efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte production simplicityVSAvoidcycle efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates halogen compounds and their precursors into the electrolyte formulation during the initial manufacturing stage. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the protective coordination structures are formed before battery assembly, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving high cycle efficiency (99.8%) and preventing subsequent electrode corrosion issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables a high magnesium ion concentration, reducing overvoltage and maintaining battery performance over multiple cycles, with a cycle efficiency of 99.8% and actual capacity equivalent to 50% utilization, while avoiding electrode corrosion and toxicity issues.

Implementation Method 1

mixing a solvent, metal magnesium, and an elemental halogen... containing the solvent, a magnesium ion, and a halide ion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

metal magnesium is dissolved as magnesium ions during discharge, and magnesium ions are in turn deposited as metal magnesium during charge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution reaction:

Implementation Method 3

magnesium ions are in turn deposited as metal magnesium during charge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition reaction: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the halogen and the nonaqueous solvent form a molecular complex in the ion-conducting medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular complex formation:

Implementation Method 5

when the electrolyte is analyzed by soft X-ray fluorescence XAFS method

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectXAFS method: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS12148890B2Method for producing electrolyte solution

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 KANSAI UNIVERSITY

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for producing an electrolyte which is capable of retaining a high magnesium ion concentration. A method for producing an electrolyte in accordance with an aspect of the present invention comprises the step of: mixing a solvent, metal magnesium, and an elemental halogen, the metal magnesium being a metal containing magnesium in an amount of not less than 96% by weight with respect to 100% by weight of a total weight of the metal.