Porous Gel Polymer Electrolyte Separator With Nano-Fillers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gel polymer electrolytes face challenges in balancing mechanical strength and electrochemical performance, with commercial applications hindered by low ionic conductivity and poor processability.
Innovation Solution
A gel polymer electrolyte separator is prepared using a masterbatch comprising 53% to 81% organic solvent, 10% to 21% polymer substrate (PVDF or PVDF-HFP copolymer), 6% to 19% pore-forming agent, and 1% to 8% nano-functional material (Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, LLZO, LLZTO, LLTO, NASICON, LAGP, or LATP), followed by a film-forming and extraction process to enhance mechanical strength and ionic conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic fillers are added to improve ionic conductivity, then electrochemical performance is improved, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system combining PVDF or PVDF-HFP polymer matrix with inorganic fillers (Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, LLZO, LLZTO, LLTO, NASICON, LAGP, or LATP). This composite structure allows the inorganic fillers to enhance ionic conductivity while the polymer matrix maintains mechanical integrity, resolving the contradiction between electrochemical performance and mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pore-forming agents to create a porous structure in the gel polymer electrolyte separator. The porous structure provides channels for ion transport, improving electrochemical performance, while the polymer matrix maintains structural framework, preserving mechanical strength. This resolves the contradiction by providing both ion conduction pathways and structural support
2Reliability
If pore-forming agent is added to improve ion transport, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces pore-forming agents to create a controlled porous structure. The pores provide ion transport channels that improve ionic conductivity, while the remaining polymer matrix forms a continuous structural framework that maintains mechanical properties. This resolves the contradiction between ion transport and mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local porous regions within the polymer matrix, concentrating the pore structure in specific areas to facilitate ion transport while leaving other regions as dense polymer framework to maintain mechanical strength. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different regions
3Reliability
If nano-functional material is added to enhance electrochemical performance, then ion transport is improved, but processability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size, concentration, and distribution parameters of the nano-functional materials to balance electrochemical performance and processability. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves improved ion transport while maintaining manufacturability through standard processing techniques
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 resulting electrolyte exhibits high mechanical strength and electrochemical performance, with ionic conductivity improved to 5.7*10-4 mS/cm−1, suitable for both high and low ambient temperatures, and reduced interface resistance.
Implementation Method 1
After a film is formed, the DBP is extracted from the film by using a volatile organic solvent, thereby forming nanometer-sized pores in the film
Implementation Method 2
which do not directly participate in the ion transport but increase the number of free Li+ as well as promote the rapid transport of Lit, thereby improving ionic conductivity
Implementation Method 3
which could directly participate in ion transport and provide a lithium source, thereby further improving the ionic conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a gel polymer electrolyte separator, and a preparation method and use thereof. The gel polymer electrolyte separator is prepared from raw materials including a masterbatch and an extractant, where the masterbatch includes the following components in mass percentage, based on a mass of the gel polymer electrolyte: 53% to 81% of an organic solvent, 10% to 21% of a polymer substrate, 6% to 19% of a pore-forming agent, and 1% to 8% of a nano-functional material; the polymer substrate is one or two selected from the group consisting of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) homopolymer and a PVDF-hexafluoropropylene (HFP) copolymer; and the nano-functional material is one or more selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, LLZO, LLZTO, LLTO, NASICON, LAGP, and LATP.