Polyurea Solid Electrolyte Composition for Ionic Conductivity and Toughness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polyurea-based solid electrolytes face challenges in achieving simultaneous low crystallinity and high ionic conductivity due to the unfavorable effects of polypropyl oxide segments and high cross-linking density, which limits their ion conductivity and toughness.

Innovation Solution

A polyurea-based solid electrolyte composition incorporating a first polyaspartic ester with polyethylene glycol segments introduced through transesterification, a lithium salt, and an isocyanate curing agent with a controlled molecular weight and structure, optimizing the distribution of polyethylene glycol segments within the cross-linked network to enhance ionic conductivity and toughness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If polyether amine is used to reduce crystallinity of polyethylene glycol, then crystallinity is reduced, but ionic conductivity deteriorates due to unfavorable polypropyl oxide segments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecrystallinityVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing polyether amine with polyaspartic ester, eliminating the unfavorable polypropyl oxide segments while maintaining reduced crystallinity through the polyethylene glycol side chains. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction between low crystallinity and high ionic conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating polyethylene glycol side chains into the polyaspartic ester backbone, forming a hybrid material that combines the low crystallinity benefit of polyethylene glycol with the high ionic conductivity of a polyaspartic ester matrix, avoiding the harmful polypropyl oxide segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If polyether amine with larger molecular weights is used to avoid large cross-linking density, then cross-linking density is reduced, but crystallinity and ionic conductivity cannot be met simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-linking densityVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the polyaspartic ester to an optimal range that achieves moderate cross-linking density without requiring excessively large molecular weights. This allows simultaneous achievement of low crystallinity and high ionic conductivity through optimized compositional parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If high cross-linking density is achieved in polyurea electrolyte, then structural strength is improved, but ion conductivity deteriorates due to reduced polymer segment movement ability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidion conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing polyethylene glycol side chains at specific locations on the polyaspartic ester backbone. These localized flexible segments provide ion conduction pathways without compromising the overall cross-linked network structure, thus maintaining both structural strength and ion conductivity.

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 approach significantly improves ionic conductivity and toughness of the electrolyte by locating polyethylene glycol segments at the end groups of the cross-linked network, allowing for better movement and impact absorption, while avoiding brittleness associated with high cross-linking density.

Implementation Method 1

the polyethylene glycol segment is located at the end group of the cross-linked polyurea three-dimensional network structure rather than on the main chain, and is more prone to movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSegmental motion:

Implementation Method 2

The first resin is obtained by transesterification of a second polyaspartic ester corresponding to R2, R3, R4, and R5 in formula (1) independently selected from a C1-C18 alkyl group with a polyethylene glycol monoalkyl ether HO(CH2CH2O)mR6

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransesterification:

Implementation Method 3

a lithium salt is added to a polyether amine-based polyaspartic ester and then an isocyanate curing agent is added for curing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCross-linking:

Data Source

PatentUS11996211B1Polyurea-based solid electrolyte and preparation method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 SHENZHEN FEIYANG JUNYAN TECH DEV

AI summary

A polyurea-based solid electrolyte, raw material components of which includes a first polyaspartic ester, a lithium salt, and an isocyanate curing agent; the ester group of the first polyaspartic ester includes a polyethylene glycol segment structure.