Polymer Electrolyte Composition for High-Conductivity Battery Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries face issues such as leakage, side reactions, flammability, and high vapor pressure at high temperatures, while solid electrolytes have excessively low ionic conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A polymer electrolyte is developed, comprising a polymer matrix with a copolymer having vinylimidazole-based and acrylic repeating units, combined with an ionic liquid and optionally a metal salt, to achieve high ionic conductivity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolyte is used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but safety and stability deteriorate due to leakage, flammability, and high vapor pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining polymer matrix (providing mechanical strength and stability) with ionic liquid (providing high ionic conductivity). This composite approach allows the electrolyte to maintain the advantages of both components while mitigating their individual disadvantages, achieving both safety and high ionic conductivity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid to solid-gel hybrid by incorporating polymer matrix. This parameter change eliminates leakage and improves safety while the ionic liquid component maintains high ionic conductivity through its inherent properties
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solid electrolyte is used, then safety and stability are improved, but ionic conductivity deteriorates due to excessively low values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte where polymer matrix provides solid-phase safety and stability, while embedded ionic liquid provides high ionic conductivity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to fulfill its strength
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid acts as an intermediary substance within the polymer matrix, bridging the gap between solid electrolyte safety and liquid electrolyte conductivity. It enables ion transport through the solid polymer structure while maintaining liquid-like ionic mobility
3Strength
If polymer electrolyte is designed with high polymer content, then mechanical strength is improved, but ionic conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the composition ratio parameter, specifically designing ionic liquid content to be 30-80 wt% of total electrolyte. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient ionic conductivity while maintaining adequate mechanical strength through the polymer matrix
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 polymer electrolyte maintains mechanical strength and exhibits superior ionic conductivity, with a range of 0.60 to 1.50 mS/cm, effectively addressing the limitations of existing electrolytes.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer matrix including a copolymer having a vinylimidazole-based repeating unit and an acrylic repeating unit
Implementation Method 2
an ionic liquid... The polymer electrolyte may have ionic conductivity of 0.60 to 0.98 mS/cm
Implementation Method 3
The polymer electrolyte maintains mechanical strength and exhibits superior ionic conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer electrolyte includes an ionic liquid and a polymer matrix including a copolymer having a first repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 2 below: