Phosphorus Additive Electrolyte for Stable SEI Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary batteries face limitations in initial capacity and power due to the reactivity of lithium ions with organic electrolytes, leading to reduced capacity and stability issues, particularly at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A non-aqueous electrolyte comprising an organic solvent, a lithium salt, and a phosphorus compound with specific structural features, such as an acryloyloxy group, is used to form a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the electrode, enhancing the battery's initial capacity, power characteristics, and lifetime performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If organic electrolytes are used in lithium secondary batteries to achieve higher operating voltage and energy density, then energy density is improved, but fire and explosion risks increase due to the reactivity of lithium ions with the organic electrolyte

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidfire and explosion risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film as an intermediary layer between the lithium ions and the organic electrolyte. This film acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact and harmful reactions while allowing ionic conduction, thus maintaining high energy density while reducing fire and explosion risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert protective environment by forming a stable SEI film on the electrode surface. This film provides an inert barrier that prevents the organic electrolyte from reacting with lithium ions, effectively creating a chemically inert interface that eliminates fire and explosion hazards while preserving the high energy density benefits of organic electrolytes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Reliability

If lithium ions react with organic electrolyte to form SEI film during initial charge, then stable charge and discharge is achieved, but initial capacity is reduced due to consumption of lithium ions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge and discharge stabilityVSAvoidinitial capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by intentionally forming a stable SEI film during an initial charge cycle before the battery enters normal operation. This preliminary film formation consumes a controlled amount of lithium ions to create a protective layer, after which the battery achieves stable charge and discharge cycles with minimal further capacity loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the composition and concentration of the organic electrolyte to control the SEI film formation process. By adjusting electrolyte parameters such as additive concentration and solvent ratio, the patent minimizes the amount of lithium ions consumed during initial film formation while ensuring sufficient film stability for reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If carbon material is used as negative electrode active material to enable lithium ion intercalation, then capacity density is improved, but capacity is reduced over time due to desorption from electron transfer pathway and gas generation from solvent decomposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity densityVSAvoidbattery lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the SEI film as an intermediary protective layer between the carbon material and the organic electrolyte. This film prevents direct decomposition reactions between the electrolyte and carbon surface, eliminating gas generation and preventing carbon material desorption from the electron transfer pathway, thus maintaining high capacity density over extended battery lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the initially harmful reaction between lithium ions and organic electrolyte into a beneficial protective mechanism. The controlled formation of SEI film during initial charge transforms what would be a capacity-reducing side reaction into a protective layer that prevents further harmful decomposition reactions, thereby extending battery lifetime while preserving capacity density.

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

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 use of this electrolyte improves initial capacity and power characteristics at both room and low temperatures, reducing internal resistance and maintaining stable charge and discharge performance, making it suitable for portable devices and electric vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

the lithium ions react with an electrolyte and carbon constituting the negative electrode active material on a surface of the negative electrode active material to form compounds such as Li2CO3, Li2O, or LiOH. These compounds form a kind of stable film (solid electrolyte interface, SEI) on the surface of the negative electrode active material.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The film formed on the surface of the negative electrode active material may only pass the lithium ions by acting as an ion tunnel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon transport: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

since the film may prevent the contact between the negative electrode active material and the electrolyte, the decomposition of the electrolyte may not occur

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP2983234B1Non-aqueous electrolyte and lithium secondary battery comprising same
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2983234B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2983234B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2983234B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a non-aqueous electrolyte, which includes an organic solvent, a lithium salt, and a phosphorus compound including an acryloyloxy group, and a lithium secondary battery including the non-aqueous electrolyte. Since the non-aqueous electrolyte includes the phosphorus compound to form a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on an electrode during charge and discharge of the battery, initial capacity and power characteristics at room temperature and low temperature as well as lifetime characteristics of the battery may be improved.