Molten Salt Battery Solid Metal Cathode Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrochemical energy storage devices face challenges in efficiently storing and releasing energy due to limitations in electrode materials and electrolytes, particularly at high temperatures, leading to issues such as corrosion and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrochemical energy storage device comprising a calcium-based negative electrode, an antimony-based positive electrode, and a liquid electrolyte, where the positive current collector has a corrosion-resistant surface treatment, and the electrodes are configured to operate at temperatures between 300°C and 650°C, facilitating efficient ion conduction and intermetallic compound formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrode materials and electrolytes are used at high temperatures, then energy storage capacity may be maintained, but corrosion occurs and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrode materials from solid to liquid, operating at elevated temperatures (above the melting points of the electrode materials) to enable liquid-state electrochemical reactions. This parameter change allows the use of highly reactive materials like alkali metals and alkaline earth metals that would be solid at room temperature, thereby increasing energy storage capacity while the liquid state prevents conventional corrosion mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material systems consisting of liquid electrode materials (such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, or their alloys) combined with specific electrolyte compositions (molten salts or ionic liquids). These composite systems are designed to operate synergistically at elevated temperatures, where the liquid electrode materials provide high reactivity and capacity while the electrolyte composition is selected to minimize corrosive interactions, thereby improving device durability
2Productivity
If solid electrode materials are used, then structural stability is maintained, but ion conduction efficiency and charging/discharging rates are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits phase transitions by operating above the melting points of the electrode materials, transforming them from solid to liquid state during operation. This phase transition enables significantly enhanced ion conduction efficiency and electrochemical reaction kinetics compared to solid-state materials, thereby increasing charging and discharging rates while maintaining compositional stability through the controlled liquid phase
3Quantity of substance
If reactive metal materials are used to increase capacity, then energy storage capacity improves, but corrosion and reactivity issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter to above the melting points of highly reactive metal materials (alkali metals, alkaline earth metals), transforming them into liquid state. This parameter change enables the use of these highly reactive materials for high-capacity energy storage while the liquid state and elevated temperature conditions modify the reactivity profile, reducing conventional corrosion mechanisms and enabling controlled electrochemical reactions with appropriate electrolytes
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
This configuration enhances the energy storage device's efficiency and durability by preventing corrosion, maintaining performance across a wide temperature range, and enabling effective charging and discharging processes.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid electrolyte is capable of conducting ions of the first material
Implementation Method 2
A battery is a device capable of converting chemical energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
during discharge of the energy storage device, an intermetallic compound forms at the positive electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an energy storage device comprising at least one electrochemical cell comprising a negative current collector, a negative electrode in electrical communication with the negative current collector, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the negative electrode, a positive current collector, and a positive electrode in electrical communication with the positive current collector and electrolyte. The positive electrode comprises a material that is solid at the operating temperature of the energy storage device.