Organic Active Materials for Sodium and Flow Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of rechargeable batteries faces challenges with the anode composition in sodium batteries and the limited voltage in flow batteries, particularly due to the use of heavy metals and the need for sustainable, low-polluting materials.
Innovation Solution
The use of compounds represented as R1—Y—R2, where R1 and R2 are active sites such as carboxylic acid groups or anhydride groups, and Y is a conjugated moiety, which can coordinate with metal ions, are employed as active materials in sodium batteries and flow batteries, offering tunable voltage ranges and improved electrochemical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium is used in rechargeable batteries, then high energy density and electrochemical performance are achieved, but resource scarcity and high cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the metal ion parameter from lithium (Li+) to sodium (Na+), substituting the scarce metal with an abundant alternative. This parameter change maintains the electrochemical functionality while resolving the resource scarcity issue, as sodium is significantly more abundant in the Earth's crust
Solution Approach 2:
The organic compounds with carboxylic acid groups and conjugated moieties demonstrate universal coordination capability with various metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+). This multi-functionality allows the same organic framework to work with different metal ions, enabling transition from lithium to sodium batteries without redesigning the entire system
2Reliability
If conventional anode materials are used in sodium batteries, then battery operation is achieved, but poor electrochemical performance and stability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the anode from conventional materials (such as carbon or aluminum) to organic compounds containing carboxylic acid groups (—COOH) and conjugated moieties. This parameter change enables reversible sodium ion coordination with higher capacity and improved electrochemical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The anode employs a composite structure combining organic compounds (with carboxylic acid groups and conjugated systems) with conductive additives and binders. This composite material approach enhances both the electrochemical activity and electrical conductivity, resolving the performance limitation of conventional single-material anodes
3Reliability
If N-Methylphthalimide is used as anode material in flow batteries, then battery operation is achieved, but limited voltage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrochemical potential parameter by substituting N-Methylphthalimide with organic compounds featuring carboxylic acid groups and extended conjugated moieties. This parameter change adjusts the redox potential to achieve higher battery voltage while maintaining reversible electrochemical operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically tunable organic compounds where the voltage can be adjusted by modifying the conjugated moiety structure (e.g., varying the aromatic system size or substitution patterns). This dynamic adjustability allows optimization of both voltage and reversibility for flow battery applications
4Productivity
If heavy metals are used in battery materials, then electrochemical performance is achieved, but environmental pollution and sustainability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates heavy metal elements (such as cobalt, nickel, or lead) from the battery materials, replacing them with organic compounds based on carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sodium. This extraction removes the harmful factors while preserving the electrochemical functionality through organic-redox reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs organic compounds that are inherently biodegradable and environmentally benign, replacing persistent heavy metal materials. These organic materials can be synthesized from renewable resources and decompose naturally, eliminating long-term environmental pollution issues
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
These compounds provide reversible electrochemical reactions with stable voltage profiles and high discharge capacities, enhancing the performance and sustainability of sodium batteries and flow batteries by using organic materials that do not include heavy metals.
Implementation Method 1
Y is a conjugated moiety joining R1 and R2
Implementation Method 2
R1 and R2 represent at least two active sites which are carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, groups configured to coordinate to a metal ion, or groups coordinated to a metal ion
Implementation Method 3
These compounds provide reversible electrochemical reactions with stable voltage profiles and high discharge capacities
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery includes a compound having at least two active sites, R1 and R2; wherein the at least two active sites are interconnected by one or more conjugated moieties; each active site is coordinated to one or more metal ions Ma+ or each active site is configured to coordinate to one or more metal ions; and “a” is 1, 2, or 3.