Polymer Solid Electrolyte Freeze-Thaw Crosslinking for Ionic Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preparing polymer solid electrolytes face limitations in achieving improved ionic conductivity due to high crystallinity of crystalline or semi-crystalline polymers, which restricts lithium ion migration and requires the use of plasticizers that complicate the process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a solution casting process followed by freezing and thawing cycles to form a cross-linked structure with amorphous polymer chains, eliminating the need for plasticizers and allowing for a continuous process that reduces crystallinity and enhances ionic conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-temperature drying process is used to form a polymer solid electrolyte, then the coating film can be dried and formed, but the degree of crystallization increases causing brittleness and reduced ionic conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the drying temperature parameter from high temperature (80°C or higher) to low temperature (room temperature or below), which prevents excessive crystallization while still achieving moisture removal and film formation, thereby maintaining ionic conductivity and reducing brittleness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure consisting of a polymer matrix with dispersed inorganic particles (such as SiO2, TiO2, or Al2O3), where the inorganic particles act as nucleation sites that control crystallization behavior, reducing the degree of crystallization and preventing brittleness while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If a plasticizer is added to improve polymer chain mobility and ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity can be enhanced, but the process complexity increases due to dispersibility and solubility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for plasticizers by using low-temperature drying and inorganic particle dispersion, achieving ionic conductivity enhancement through alternative mechanisms (reduced crystallinity and improved chain mobility via low-temperature processing) without the complexity of plasticizer selection and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces inorganic particles as intermediary substances that mediate between the polymer chains, preventing excessive crystallization and maintaining chain mobility without requiring plasticizers, thereby simplifying the overall formulation and processing
3Strength
If the degree of crystallization is increased to improve film strength, then mechanical strength is enhanced, but polymer chain mobility decreases reducing ionic conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the drying temperature parameter to a low range (room temperature or below), which achieves sufficient film strength through controlled moisture removal and gentle film formation without inducing excessive crystallization, thereby maintaining polymer chain mobility and ionic conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system where inorganic particles are dispersed in the polymer matrix, providing mechanical reinforcement and structural stability without requiring high degrees of crystallization, thus maintaining chain mobility and ionic conductivity while achieving adequate film strength
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 method achieves improved ionic conductivity and reduces brittleness, enabling the production of polymer solid electrolytes suitable for all-solid-state batteries with enhanced performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
after preparing a PVA aqueous solution by dissolving the PVA in water, the PVA aqueous solution is applied on a substrate by solution casting to form a coating film, and dried at room temperature or high temperature
Implementation Method 2
A method involving a solution casting process followed by freezing and thawing cycles to form a cross-linked structure with amorphous polymer chains
Implementation Method 3
In the drying process, after the moisture evaporates, a hydrogen bond between the cross-linkable functional groups contained in the PVA is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing a polymer solid electrolyte, and the polymer solid electrolyte prepared by freezing and thawing includes a cross-linked structure formed by a cross-linkable functional group, and the cross-linked structure includes (a) a cross-linkage between the cross-linkable functional groups, (b) a cross-linkage between the cross-linkable functional group and a solvent, and (c) a bond between the cross-linkable functional group and a lithium salt. Accordingly, even without using a separate plasticizer, crystallinity of the polymer solid electrolyte is reduced, and ionic conductivity can be improved. In addition, continuous processing and mass production are possible.