Organic Electrode Materials for Aqueous Metal-Ion Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aqueous metal-ion batteries (AMIBs) face challenges in achieving high energy density due to unsatisfactory cyclability of intercalation compound-based anodes, which dissolve in the bulk electrolyte and oxidize at the discharged state, limiting their commercial implementation.

Innovation Solution

The use of organic electrode materials, such as carbonyl compounds, organosulfur compounds, and non-conjugated polymers, as both anode and cathode materials in AMIBs, capable of metal-ion intercalation or coordination with lithium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum, to enhance cyclability and energy density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If intercalation compound-based anodes are used in aqueous metal-ion batteries, then the battery structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the cyclability is unsatisfactory due to material dissolution and oxidation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the anode material from inorganic intercalation compounds to organic materials with specific functional groups (carbonyl, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino groups). This parameter change transforms the material's chemical stability in aqueous electrolytes, preventing dissolution and oxidation while maintaining manufacturability through established organic synthesis methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite organic electrode materials combining multiple functional groups (carbonyl, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino) within the same molecular structure or polymer system. These composite organic materials provide both structural stability for good cyclability and appropriate electrochemical activity for battery function, while remaining compatible with aqueous electrolytes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If organic electrode materials are used in aqueous metal-ion batteries, then cyclability and energy density are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecyclabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex requirements for good electrode materials into distinct functional groups (carbonyl for electron acceptance, carboxyl for metal-ion coordination, hydroxyl and amino for structural stability). By designing organic molecules with specific combinations of these functional groups, the patent simplifies the material selection process while achieving multiple performance targets simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional anode materials are used in aqueous batteries, then production costs are low, but energy density remains below required metrics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidenergy density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrochemical parameters of the anode by using organic materials with higher theoretical capacities and more favorable redox potentials compared to conventional inorganic intercalation compounds. This parameter change enables achieving energy density metrics required for commercial and industrial applications while maintaining cost-effectiveness through organic synthesis routes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 organic electrode materials demonstrate stable capacity retention and improved cyclability, meeting energy density requirements and reducing production costs without compromising performance, thus facilitating the commercial implementation of AMIBs.

Implementation Method 1

a second electrode capable of metal-ion intercalation by or coordination to at least one metal-ion chosen from the group consisting of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and aluminum (Al)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetal-ion intercalation:

Implementation Method 2

capable of metal-ion intercalation by or coordination to at least one metal-ion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoordination:

Implementation Method 3

The first electrode comprises at least one organic electrode material chosen from carbonyl compounds... capable of metal-ion intercalation or coordination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP2984698B1Aqueous energy storage devices with organic electrode materials
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 UNIV HOUSTON SYST
  • EP2984698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2984698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2984698B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aqueous metal-ion battery and a method for constructing same. In one embodiment, the battery includes an aqueous electrolyte and at least one electrode comprising at least one organic electrode material. A method comprises incorporating an organic electrode material into the electrode of an aqueous metal-ion battery. The organic electrode material further comprises at least one material chosen from carbonyl compounds.