Mixed Polyhalide Electrolyte for Uniform Static Zinc Halide Cells
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional static zinc halide batteries face challenges in achieving high energy and power density due to electrolyte density gradients, which limit the utilization of electrode surface area and lead to non-uniform charge distribution.
Innovation Solution
A mixed polyhalide electrolyte is developed, comprising specific ratios of chloride and bromide ions, which forms a mixed polyhalide upon charging, reducing density gradients and allowing for full electrode height utilization by forming a lower density mixed polyhalide that does not sink to the bottom of the cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional zinc bromide electrolyte is used in static battery, then battery structure is simple, but density gradients form causing limited energy and power density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by introducing a mixed polyhalide system containing chloride, bromide, and iodide ions in specific ratios. This parameter change prevents density gradient formation while maintaining the static battery structure, thereby improving energy and power density without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite electrolyte system combining multiple halide salts (zinc chloride, zinc bromide, zinc iodide, and additional alkali metal halides) to create a mixed polyhalide electrolyte. This composite material approach eliminates density gradients and enables full electrode utilization, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and high power density
2Quantity of substance
If charging is performed to higher capacity in traditional zinc halide battery, then energy density increases, but polybromide phases sink to bottom limiting electrode surface area utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrolyte composition by adding iodide ions and adjusting the halide ratio, which changes the density and chemical properties of the polyhalide phases formed during charging. This prevents phase separation and sinking, maintaining electrolyte uniformity even at high charge capacities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces iodide ions as an intermediary component that modifies the behavior of polyhalide species during charging. The iodide forms mixed polyhalide complexes that remain dissolved and uniform in the electrolyte, preventing the sinking phenomenon that limits electrode utilization in traditional systems
3Stability of the object's composition
If flowing electrolyte is used in flow battery, then density gradients are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for flowing electrolyte systems by solving the density gradient problem through chemical composition modification alone. The mixed polyhalide electrolyte maintains uniformity statically, removing the requirement for pumps, flow channels, and associated complex infrastructure while achieving the same electrolyte uniformity benefit
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 mixed polyhalide electrolyte enhances energy and power density, improves coulombic efficiency, and ensures uniform electrode utilization, addressing the limitations of traditional static zinc halide batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The process of charging and discharging electrical current in a zinc halide battery is generally achieved through a reaction of redox couples like Zn2+/Zn(s) and X−/X2 in zinc halide electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
When the battery is charged with electrical current, the following chemical reactions occur: Zn2++2e−→Zn
Implementation Method 3
2X−→X2+2e−, wherein X is a halogen (e.g., Cl, Br, or I)
Implementation Method 4
forming a lower density mixed polyhalide that does not sink to the bottom of the cell
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a mixed polyhalide initial electrolyte for a static zinc halide battery. Also provided is a method for fabricating a static battery cell comprising the steps of: providing an initial electrolyte comprising one or more source for chloride ions and one or more source for bromide ions, wherein the one or more source for chloride ions and the one or more source for bromide ions are provided in a predetermined ratio selected to yield a target amount of mixed polyhalide upon charge of the initial electrolyte; and forming an electrochemical cell comprising an anode, a cathode and the initial electrolyte.