Porous Hydrophilic Separator for Nitrile Electrolyte Wettability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical devices face challenges with increased capacity due to enhanced fire and explosion risks, necessitating improved heat resistance and safety measures, particularly when using nitrile-based compounds in electrolytes which can reduce wettability and increase electrical resistance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a porous hydrophilic polymer membrane separator and a nitrile-based electrolyte with optional lithium salts and carbonate additives, enhancing wettability and thermal stability while maintaining non-flammability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional hydrophobic separator (e.g., polyolefin-based film) is used with a nitrile-based electrolyte, then the separator structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the wettability is reduced and electrical resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the separator material from hydrophobic polyolefin to hydrophilic polymer, fundamentally altering the surface properties to improve wettability with nitrile-based electrolyte while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by using hydrophilic polymer separators that combine good wettability with nitrile-based electrolyte and appropriate mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and electrical resistance
2Quantity of substance
If the capacity of the electrochemical device is increased to meet demand for electric vehicles and energy storage, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the risk of fire and explosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the electrolyte to nitrile-based compounds, which have inherently higher flash points and thermal stability compared to conventional carbonate-based electrolytes, thereby reducing fire risk while maintaining high capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of high-capacity batteries (fire risk) into a benefit by using nitrile-based electrolytes that inherently suppress combustion, allowing high capacity devices to operate safely
3Device complexity
If a hydrophobic separator is used to maintain structural simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal stability and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the separator material by selecting hydrophilic polymers with inherently higher thermal stability and lower flammability compared to conventional polyolefin separators, achieving improved thermal safety without significantly increasing device 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 solution provides electrochemical devices with improved thermal stability, non-flammability, and enhanced ionic conductivity, addressing safety concerns and maintaining device performance.
Implementation Method 1
configured to allow ions to pass between the positive electrode and the negative electrode
Implementation Method 2
a porous separator having wettability to the electrolyte
Implementation Method 3
porous separator configured to imbibe the liquid phase electrolyte
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Electrochemical devices are disclosed for various applications such as secondary batteries. In an embodiment, an electrochemical device includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte. The separator includes a porous hydrophilic polymer membrane, and the electrolyte includes a nitrile-based compound. The electrochemical device exhibits high ionic conductivity by including the porous separator having wettability to the electrolyte.