Metal-Containing Polymer Electrolyte Without Conductive Additives
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium-ion battery (LIB) solid electrolytes require additional conductive agents like lithium salts and graphene oxides to enhance conductivity, which are expensive and can alter mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
A metal-containing electrolyte is formulated without additional conductive agents by incorporating a siloxane polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, and an alkenoic acid compound, forming an ionic bond with a metal compound to create a metal-containing electrolyte that carries metal ions, thereby improving conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional conductive agents such as lithium salts and graphene oxides are added to improve ionic conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and mechanical properties vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conductive function from separate additive components (lithium salts, graphene oxides) and integrates it directly into the polymer electrolyte backbone by incorporating metal-containing repeating units. This eliminates the need for additional conductive agents while maintaining conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural framework function (polymer backbone) and the conductive function (metal ions) into a single integrated electrolyte structure. The metal-containing repeating units are directly incorporated into the polymer chain, combining mechanical support and ionic conduction in one component.
2Reliability
If additional conductive agents such as lithium salts and graphene oxides are added to improve ionic conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conductive function from separate additive components (lithium salts, graphene oxides) and integrates it directly into the polymer electrolyte backbone by incorporating metal-containing repeating units. This eliminates the need for additional conductive agents while maintaining conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses readily available metal salts and common polymer precursors to create the metal-containing electrolyte, replacing expensive specialized conductive additives. The synthesis process uses standard chemical reactions and common solvents, reducing manufacturing costs.
3Reliability
If additional conductive agents are added to improve conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but mechanical properties of the polymer vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural framework function (polymer backbone) and the conductive function (metal ions) into a single integrated electrolyte structure. The metal-containing repeating units are directly incorporated into the polymer chain, combining mechanical support and ionic conduction in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the composition parameters of the metal-containing repeating units (metal type, ratio a:b, z value) to optimize both conductivity and mechanical properties. By controlling the metal-to-polymer ratio and selecting appropriate metal ions, the electrolyte achieves desired performance without mechanical property degradation.
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 metal-containing electrolyte achieves better electrical conductivity without the need for additional conductive agents, preventing mechanical property changes associated with excessive metal salt addition.
Implementation Method 1
heating the first mixture solution to allow an alkenyl group of the poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and an alkenyl group of the alkenoic acid compound to separately perform a hydrosilylation reaction with a silicon-hydrogen bond of the siloxane polymer to form an initial electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
heating the second mixture solution to allow a metal ion of the metal compound to form an ionic bond with oxygen of a hydroxyl group of the initial electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A metal-containing electrolyte is provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure, including a structure of formula 1 as follows, in which “R” is hydrogen or an alkyl group including 1 to 20 carbon atoms; “M” is a metal element; “a” is an integer from 5 to 50; “b” is an integer from 2 to 100; and “z” is an integer from 0 to 10;