Organsilicon Amine Electrolytes for High-Voltage Supercapacitors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current supercapacitor electrolytes face challenges such as low stability at high voltages, high flammability, toxicity, and high internal resistance, limiting their effectiveness in energy storage applications.

Innovation Solution

Development of organosilicon amine electrolytes with specific cationic moieties and halogen or tetrafluoroborate anions, which provide high ionic conductivity, thermal and electrochemical stability, and low volatility, enabling operation at exceptionally high voltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If aqueous electrolytes are used, then series resistance is reduced and power density is improved, but stability at high voltages deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidstability at high voltages
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by introducing organosilicon amine cations with specific molecular structures (containing Si-N bonds and alkyl groups) that provide both high ionic conductivity for power density and electrochemical stability for high voltage operation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between power and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The electrolyte is designed as a composite ionic liquid system combining organosilicon amine cations with specific anions, creating a material that integrates the beneficial properties of both high conductivity and high voltage stability, thus resolving the contradiction between power density and voltage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If organic liquid electrolytes based on alkyl carbonates are used, then flammability is reduced compared to acetonitrile, but ionic conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflammabilityVSAvoidionic conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrolyte composition by using organosilicon amine cations with specific structural parameters (Si-N bond length, alkyl group configurations) that optimize both safety properties and ionic conductivity, resolving the contradiction between reduced flammability and maintained power performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If acetonitrile is used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to flammability and toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidflammability and toxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the electrolyte by replacing acetonitrile molecules with organosilicon amine ionic liquid molecules that have fundamentally different safety profiles while maintaining or improving ionic conductivity through optimized molecular structure and ion mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful properties of conventional electrolytes into benefits by designing ionic liquids that are inherently non-flammable and less toxic, while the rigid Si-N bond structure provides the ionic conductivity needed for high power performance, thus turning safety drawbacks into advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Use of energy by moving object

If higher operating voltages are achieved, then energy storage capability is improved, but internal resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capabilityVSAvoidinternal resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the electrolyte's physical and chemical parameters including viscosity, ion size, and charge density by selecting specific organosilicon amine structures that minimize internal resistance while enabling higher operating voltages, thus improving energy storage without excessive energy loss.

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 new electrolytes offer improved stability, safety, and performance, allowing supercapacitors to operate effectively at high voltages with reduced internal resistance and enhanced energy storage capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The electrolyte allows ions to move freely through the separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

A 'double layer' of positive and negative charges is formed at the electrode-electrolyte interface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge separation: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP2203247B1Organsilicon amine-based electrolytes for use in electrochemical double-layer capacitors
Publication Date: 2013.07.03 WISCONSIN ALUMNI RES FOUND
  • EP2203247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2203247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2203247B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are electrolytes that are organosilicon amine-based, and supercapacitors which incorporate them. These electrolytes are quaternary ammonium salts with an organosilicon moiety. They appear particularly suitable for use at high voltages in applications such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles.