Organic Electrolyte Solution for Redox Flow Battery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional redox flow batteries have limited energy density due to their aqueous solvent, which restricts operating voltage and results in low energy storage capacity and reduced cell life from irreversible charge and discharge cycles.

Innovation Solution

An organic electrolyte solution is developed using a metal-ligand coordination compound with an organic phosphate ligand, which is chemically and thermally stable, and includes metals like nickel, cobalt, or iron, allowing for high energy density and efficient charge-discharge operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an aqueous solvent is used in conventional redox flow batteries, then the battery can operate with simple electrolyte composition, but the operating voltage is restricted and energy density is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidoperating voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the solvent system from aqueous to non-aqueous organic solvent. This parameter change enables the battery to operate at higher voltages (exceeding 2V) and achieves energy density greater than 200 Wh/L, directly resolving the contradiction between operating voltage and energy density limitations of conventional aqueous systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite electrolyte system combining non-aqueous organic solvent with specific lithium salts (LiClO4, LiBF4, LiPF6) and redox-active compounds. This composite material approach enables simultaneous achievement of high operating voltage, high energy density, and stable electrochemical performance, overcoming the limitations of simple aqueous electrolyte compositions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If aqueous electrolyte is used in redox flow batteries, then the system can maintain simple composition, but cell life is reduced due to irreversible charge and discharge cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell lifeVSAvoidirreversible charge and discharge cycles

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses non-aqueous organic solvent as an inert environment that prevents irreversible side reactions and decomposition processes occurring in aqueous systems. This inert environment protects the redox-active compounds during charge and discharge cycles, eliminating irreversibility and enabling long-term stable operation with extended cell life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs stable, regenerable redox-active compounds that can undergo numerous reversible cycles without degradation. These compounds act as disposable yet renewable active materials that maintain their electrochemical activity over thousands of cycles, ensuring long cell life while maintaining simple system composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional aqueous electrolyte is used, then the battery structure can be simple, but energy storage capacity is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidelectrolyte composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solvent parameter from water to non-aqueous organic solvent, which has higher dielectric constant and better solubility for redox-active compounds. This parameter change enables significantly higher energy storage capacity (greater than 200 Wh/L) while the electrolyte composition remains relatively simple, consisting of solvent, lithium salt, and redox-active compound

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte formulation combining non-aqueous organic solvent with optimized ratios of lithium salts and redox-active compounds. This composite material achieves high energy storage capacity through enhanced solubility and electrochemical stability, while maintaining manageable electrolyte composition that does not require complex multi-component systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides a redox flow battery with enhanced energy density and improved charge-discharge efficiency, maintaining stability and resistance to moisture, suitable for large power storage systems.

Implementation Method 1

the redox flow batteries use a mechanism of storing and generating electric energy as a result of an oxidation/reduction reaction of each ion in a cathode and an anode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation/reduction reaction: Redox Reactions