Photorechargeable Battery Electrodes for Solar Cation Intercalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery technologies face challenges with low power density, reliance on toxic and expensive materials, and lack of efficient, earth-abundant materials that can be reversibly charged by solar energy without applying a potential.
Innovation Solution
Development of an electrochemical device with a nitrogen-containing electron storage material having a two- or three-dimensional covalent structure, capable of intercalating and de-intercalating cations, and a hole storage material, forming a photorechargeable or autophotorechargeable battery with improved electron storage capacity and cycle life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional battery materials are used, then batteries can store electrical energy, but they suffer from low power densities and rely on toxic, expensive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of battery materials by using nitrogen-containing electron storage materials with two- or three-dimensional covalent structures instead of conventional toxic materials. This parameter change enables both high power density and environmental friendliness, resolving the contradiction between power improvement and material sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of nitrogen-containing electron storage materials combined with hole storage materials to create photorechargeable batteries. This composite approach achieves high power density while using earth-abundant, non-toxic elements, simultaneously addressing both power density and material sustainability requirements.
2Power
If photorechargeable batteries are developed to overcome low power density, then renewable energy charging is enabled, but complex device structures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges light harvesting and electrical energy storage functions into a single integrated electrochemical device. The nitrogen-containing electron storage material serves dual purposes: storing electrons and enabling photorecharging, thereby combining multiple functions into one structure and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high power density.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical device is designed with multi-functionality, where the nitrogen-containing electron storage material performs both electron storage and light-driven charging functions. This universal design enables the device to operate as both a high-power battery and a photorechargeable system without requiring separate components, thus reducing structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If earth-abundant materials are used for large scale production, then cost is reduced, but electron storage capacity and cycle life are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of earth-abundant nitrogen-containing materials by organizing them into two- or three-dimensional covalent structures. This structural parameter change significantly enhances both electron storage capacity and cycle life while maintaining the cost advantage of using earth-abundant materials, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and duration of action.
4Quantity of substance
If nitrogen-containing electron storage materials with covalent structures are used, then electron storage capacity is improved, but reversible photo intercalation without external potential is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines nitrogen-containing electron storage materials with hole storage materials to create a composite photorechargeable system. This composite structure enables reversible photo intercalation of cations without requiring external potential, as the hole storage material facilitates the reverse reaction, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining high electron storage capacity.
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 efficient, reversible charging of batteries using solar energy, utilizing earth-abundant elements, with enhanced power density and extended cycle life, and allows for light harvesting and energy storage in a single material.
Implementation Method 1
a negative electrode comprising a nitrogen-containing electron storage material... capable of intercalating and de-intercalating cations... efficient, reversible charging of batteries using solar energy
Implementation Method 2
contains heptazine and/or triazine moieties, and is capable of intercalating and de-intercalating cations
Implementation Method 3
electrochemical device... photorechargeable battery... autophotorechargeable battery
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrochemical device, comprising a negative electrode comprising a nitrogen-containing electron storage material, a positive electrode, and an electrolyte, wherein the nitrogen-containing electron storage material has a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional covalent structure, contains heptazine and/or triazine moieties, and is capable of intercalating and de-intercalating cations. The present invention is further directed to a uses the material, a photorechargeable battery, an autophotorechargeable battery, a redox-flow-battery, a method for harvesting light and storing electrical energy, a method for detecting and removing oxygen, and a method for detecting light.