Paste-like Mass with Inorganic Liquid Conductors for Electrochemical Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical elements, such as batteries and fuel cells, face challenges in achieving high flexibility and conductivity due to insufficient contact area between electrochemical components, requiring activation before use and being prone to leakage.
Innovation Solution
Development of paste-like masses containing an organic polymer matrix, an electrochemically activatable inorganic liquid, and inert powders, which can be processed into self-supporting layers or films for immediate use in electrochemical elements, ensuring good conductivity and flexibility without leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solid or viscous liquid Teflon is mixed with carbon and electrode material and pressed or sprayed onto contact electrodes, then electrode layers can be produced, but the layers have insufficient flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the binding agent from solid/viscous liquid to a solution state by dissolving Teflon and other polymers in a solvent. This parameter change allows the mixture to be applied as a solution that forms a flexible film after solvent evaporation, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of Teflon, carbon, electrode material, and solvent. This composite approach allows the final dried film to exhibit both the desired flexibility and the ease of application, as each component contributes different properties to the overall structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrode layers are produced with PVC and tetrahydrofurane or another polymer dissolved in a solvent, then flexibility can be improved, but the conductivity of products produced in this manner is not favorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the solvent composition and ratio parameters to achieve a balance where the solvent provides sufficient flexibility during processing but evaporates completely without leaving residues that would harm conductivity. The specific choice of solvent and its concentration are critical parameters that resolve this contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent acts as a temporary carrier that serves its purpose during the application and drying process, then disappears completely through evaporation. This disposable approach allows the solvent to provide flexibility during manufacturing without compromising the final conductivity of the dried electrode layer
3Reliability
If a battery cell is maintained in an inactive condition with extracted plasticizer, then it can be stored, but it must be activated shortly prior to use by immersion in electrolyte solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the preliminary action of incorporating the electrolyte into the polymer matrix during the manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring a separate activation step later. This preliminary incorporation of the liquid conductor resolves the contradiction by eliminating the activation time loss while maintaining storage stability
4Reliability
If the contact area between electrochemical components is increased to improve charging and discharging properties, then conductivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrochemical components (electrode material, binding agent, and liquid conductor) into a single integrated paste-like mass. This merging approach increases the contact area between components while avoiding the complexity of assembling separate layers, as the components are already in intimate contact within the paste structure
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 enables the production of electrochemical elements with enhanced conductivity and flexibility, allowing for immediate use and reduced risk of leakage, suitable for a broad range of applications including batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemically activatable inorganic liquid, especially ion conductors or mixed conductors
Implementation Method 2
electrochemical elements such as accumulators or the like
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to paste-like masses that can be used in electrochemical elements, comprising a heterogeneous mixture of (A) a matrix containing or comprising at least one organic polymer, precursors thereof, or prepolymers thereof, (B) an electrochemically activatable inorganic or largely inorganic liquid that does not dissolve the matrix or essentially does not dissolve the matrix, and, if required, (C) a powdery solid that is essentially inert relative to the electrochemically activatable liquid. The invention furthermore relates to self-supporting layers or layers that are placed on a substrate, comprising a heterogeneous mixture of (A) a matrix containing or comprising at least one organic polymer as defined in any of claims 1 through 7, (B) an electrochemically activatable inorganic or largely inorganic liquid that does not dissolve the matrix or essentially does not dissolve matrix, and if required, (C) a powdery solid that is essentially inert relative to the electrochemically activatable liquid, and composite layers with electrochemical properties that contain such layers. The layers and composite layers can be used advantageously for producing batteries, low-temperature fuel cells, solar cells, or electrochemical sensors.