Polymer-Gel Electrolyte for Stiffer, Binder-Free Battery Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery technologies face challenges in achieving high flexural modulus, energy density, and reducing the need for binders in battery electrodes, while maintaining electrolyte properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating structural monomers and oligomers into a polymer electrolyte formulation to form a polymer-gel electrolyte, which enhances mechanical properties, reduces housing material requirements, and acts as both binder and electrolyte, thereby improving flexural modulus and energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional liquid electrolytes are used in batteries, then the battery can achieve basic electrochemical function, but the flexural modulus remains low and mechanical strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polymer matrices with oligomers and monomers to create a polymer-gel electrolyte system. This composite approach achieves up to 50 times greater flexural modulus compared to traditional liquid electrolytes while maintaining electrochemical functionality, resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and functional performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the electrolyte through polymerization processes. By changing from liquid to gel-state electrolyte and adjusting cross-linking density, the system achieves enhanced mechanical properties and structural stability without sacrificing ionic conductivity
2Stability of the object's composition
If more binder material is used in battery electrodes, then electrode structural integrity is improved, but energy density decreases due to increased non-active material content
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer-gel electrolyte serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the electrolyte medium for ion transport, provides structural binding between electrode components, and enhances mechanical integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate binder materials, thereby maintaining high energy density while ensuring electrode stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of electrolyte and binder into a single polymer-gel system. By combining these previously separate functional materials, the invention reduces the total amount of non-active material in the electrode while achieving both electrochemical performance and structural integrity
3Strength
If polymer-gel electrolyte is used to enhance mechanical properties, then flexural modulus increases significantly, but the formulation and manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synthesizing oligomers and monomers with specific functional groups before final electrolyte assembly. This preparatory step simplifies the overall manufacturing process by ensuring proper molecular architecture is established beforehand, facilitating easier integration and reducing processing complexity
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-gel electrolyte achieves up to 50 times greater flexural modulus, enhances energy density, and reduces binder usage, resulting in more efficient and cost-effective battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating structural monomers and oligomers into a polymer electrolyte formulation to form a polymer-gel electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer electrolyte can be formed from (e.g., by polymerizing) a mixture that includes oligomer(s), additive(s), solvent(s), salt(s), and/or any suitable components. The polymer electrolyte can further or alternatively include monomer(s) (e.g., a stiffening monomer that in solution or incorporated into a cured polymer modifies a mechanical property such as flexural modulus of the battery cell; adhesion monomers such as a monomer that interacts with one or more surface within a battery to modify or improve adhesion of the electrolyte and the surface; etc.).