Phosphazene Ionic Liquid Electrolyte for High-Temperature Battery Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion batteries' electrolyte solutions are unstable at high temperatures and high voltages, leading to premature degradation and limiting their deployment in vehicular applications such as hybrid electric vehicles, due to the instability of phosphazene-based ionic liquids with direct phosphorus-fluorine bonds which release aggressive free fluoride ions.

Innovation Solution

Development of phosphazene-based ionic liquids with pendant groups bonded to phosphorus atoms through oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen atoms, avoiding direct halogen bonds to enhance stability and safety, and incorporating these ionic liquids in electrolyte solutions with solvents like ethylene carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate for improved performance in energy storage devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphazene-based ionic liquids with direct phosphorus-fluorine bonds are used in electrolyte solutions, then ionic conductivity and liquid state properties are achieved, but stability at high temperatures and voltages deteriorates due to release of free fluoride ions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability at high temperature and voltageVSAvoidrelease of free fluoride ions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the harmful direct phosphorus-fluorine bond from the ionic liquid structure. By extracting the fluorine atom from direct bonding to phosphorus, the source of free fluoride ion release is eliminated, resolving the stability problem while maintaining the ionic liquid's functional properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary atom (oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon) between the phosphorus and fluorine atoms. This intermediary prevents direct bonding while allowing the fluorine to remain part of the stable anionic structure, thereby preventing free fluoride release while maintaining ionic conductivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional electrolyte solutions are used in lithium-ion batteries, then ease of manufacture and initial performance are achieved, but longevity and stability at high temperatures deteriorate leading to tar-like degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery longevityVSAvoidelectrolyte stability at high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite ionic liquid system combining a phosphazene-based cation with a fluorinated anion (such as BF4-, PF6-, or CF3SO3-). This composite structure leverages the thermal stability of the phosphazene backbone and the electrochemical stability of the fluorinated anion, achieving both high temperature stability and long battery life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If ionic liquids with halogen atoms directly bonded to phosphorus are used, then synthesis simplicity is achieved, but safety and stability deteriorate due to aggressive fluoride reactants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynthesis simplicityVSAvoidaggressive fluoride reactants
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary atom (oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon) between the phosphorus and halogen atoms. This intermediary maintains the structural integrity and simplifies synthesis while preventing the direct release of aggressive fluoride ions, thus resolving both manufacturing ease and safety concerns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2764003B1Ionic liquids, electrolyte solutions and energy storage devices including the same
Publication Date: 2017.01.04 BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE LLC
  • EP2764003B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2D
  • EP2764003B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2764003B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An ionic liquid including a phosphazene compound that has a plurality of phosphorus-nitrogen units and at least one pendant group bonded to each phosphorus atom of the plurality of phosphorus-nitrogen units. One pendant group of the at least one pendant group comprises a positively charged pendant group. Additional embodiments of ionic liquids are disclosed, as are electrolyte solutions and energy storage devices including the embodiments of the ionic liquid.