Microemulsion Electrolyte Composition for Wider Voltage Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrolyte compositions for electrochemical energy storage devices, such as batteries and supercapacitors, face limitations due to narrow electrochemical stability windows, high costs, and compatibility issues with electrochemically active species, restricting their performance and safety, especially with water-based solvents which can split at low voltages.
Innovation Solution
A microemulsion electrolyte composition is developed, comprising an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible phase, with dissolved salts and electrochemically active species, which enhances conductivity and extends the electrochemical stability window beyond 1.23V, allowing for broader operational voltages and improved solubility of active species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water is used as an electrolyte solvent, then cost is reduced and solubility of salts is improved, but electrochemical stability window is limited to 1.23V
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite electrolyte system combining water (aqueous phase) with organic solvents (non-aqueous phase) to create a hybrid electrolyte that exhibits both the high salt solubility of water and the wide electrochemical stability window of organic solvents, resolving the contradiction between these two properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the aqueous and non-aqueous phases, enabling phase stabilization and improving the overall performance of the composite electrolyte system by facilitating interaction between immiscible phases
2Reliability
If non-aqueous solvents are used, then electrochemical stability window is widened, but cost increases and toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using small amounts of non-aqueous solvents specifically in regions where they are most needed (at the electrode interfaces and in the organic phase domains) rather than using them throughout the entire electrolyte volume, thereby reducing overall toxicity and cost while maintaining the electrochemical stability benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the composition parameters of the electrolyte by adjusting the ratios of water to non-aqueous solvent and optimizing surfactant concentrations to achieve a balance that provides adequate electrochemical stability while minimizing toxicity and cost
3Reliability
If concentration of dissolved salts is increased, then charge conductivity is improved, but solubility of electrochemically active species is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrolyte into distinct aqueous and non-aqueous phases with different functional roles: the aqueous phase dissolves salts to provide charge conductivity, while the non-aqueous phase dissolves electrochemically active species, thereby resolving the solubility conflict through spatial separation
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 microemulsion electrolyte composition provides enhanced charge conductivity, increased energy storage capacity, and stability, enabling electrochemical reactions at higher potentials without water splitting, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional electrolytes and improving the performance of electrochemical energy storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyte which can facilitate dissolution and migration of ions and electrochemically active species
Implementation Method 2
the electrochemical stability window of water, 1.23 V, is too narrow to support many electrochemical couples used in modern batteries
Implementation Method 3
water can be oxidised to form oxygen gas and reduced to form hydrogen gas (commonly referred to as water splitting)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Disclosed are electrolyte compositions for electrochemical devices, where the electrolyte compositions comprise a microemulsion and where the microemulsion comprises an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible phase. Also disclosed are microemulsion electrolyte compositions for electrically rechargeable electrochemical energy storage devices, including ion batteries (such as lithium ion, sodium ion, magnesium ion, calcium ion, and aluminium ion batteries), redox flow batteries and supercapacitors.