Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Battery via Ionic Liquid Polymerization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium batteries face challenges with liquid electrolytes due to leakage issues and limited ion conductivity and capacity, while solid electrolytes struggle with solubility and ion conductivity, necessitating a solidified ionic liquid solution that enhances safety and performance.

Innovation Solution

A polymer electrolyte is developed using a polymerization product of a lithium ion conductive compound with ethylenically unsaturated bonds, ion-exchangeable functional groups, and a heteroatom-containing ionic liquid, forming a cross-linkable network structure that improves ion conductivity and mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a liquid electrolyte is used, then ion conductivity is improved, but leakage and safety issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion conductivityVSAvoidleakage and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies phase transition by transforming the electrolyte from liquid state to solid state through polymerization of ionic liquids. The ionic liquid monomers are polymerized to form solid polymer electrolytes that maintain high ion conductivity while eliminating liquid electrolyte leakage issues. This phase transition resolves the contradiction between ion conductivity and safety by preserving the beneficial ionic conduction properties while achieving the mechanical stability of solids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite materials by combining polymerized ionic liquids with lithium ion conductive compounds. The resulting composite polymer electrolyte integrates the high ion conductivity of ionic liquids with the structural stability of polymer matrices, simultaneously achieving both improved reliability and eliminated leakage problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a solid electrolyte is used, then leakage is prevented, but solubility and ion conductivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidion conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition from liquid ionic liquid to solid polymer electrolyte through polymerization. This transformation maintains the high ion conductivity characteristic of liquid ionic liquids while achieving the leakage prevention and mechanical stability of solid electrolytes. The polymerized structure prevents solubility issues while preserving ionic conduction pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the ionic liquid by polymerizing it. This parameter change transforms the ionic liquid from a soluble liquid state to an insoluble solid polymer state, eliminating solubility problems while maintaining high ion conductivity through the polymer chain structure and ionic groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If ionic liquid is used as electrolyte salt, then solubility is improved, but leakage problem persists

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesolubilityVSAvoidleakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies phase transition by polymerizing the ionic liquid to transform it from liquid to solid state. This phase change eliminates leakage while preserving the solubility benefits, as the polymerized ionic liquid forms a solid matrix that prevents both leakage and unwanted solubility in battery components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating ionic liquid functional groups within the polymer chain structure. This creates localized ionic conduction pathways that maintain high ion conductivity and solubility characteristics, while the overall polymer structure provides solid-state stability and prevents leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves enhanced ion conductivity, mechanical stability, and reduced solubility in organic solvents, improving the electrochemical stability and safety of lithium batteries by preventing leakage and maintaining performance over time.

Implementation Method 1

a polymerization product of a lithium ion conductive compound including an ethylenically unsaturated bond, a lithium ion conductive unit, and an ion-exchangeable functional group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

a heteroatom-containing ionic liquid polymerizable with the lithium ion conductive compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

an ion-exchangeable functional group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS9979048B2Polymer electrolyte for lithium battery and lithium battery employing the polymer electrolyte

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A polymer electrolyte for a lithium battery, wherein the polymer electrolyte includes a polymerization product of a lithium ion conductive compound including an ethylenically unsaturated bond, a lithium ion conductive unit, and an ion-exchangeable functional group; and a heteroatom-containing ionic liquid polymerizable with the lithium ion conductive compound.