Potassium Ion Battery Electrolyte Passivity and Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current potassium ion batteries and capacitors face challenges in achieving excellent passivity formation and high ionic conductivity, particularly due to limitations in electrolyte solutions that affect the performance and stability of potassium ion batteries and capacitors.

Innovation Solution

The development of an electrolyte solution for potassium ion batteries and capacitors containing specific potassium salt compounds such as potassium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide and potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide, combined with solvents like ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and ethylene carbonate, at optimized concentrations to enhance passivity formation and ionic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electrolyte solutions are used in potassium ion batteries, then the battery can operate, but passivity formation is insufficient and corrosion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassivity formationVSAvoidcorrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte solution by introducing specific additives (cyclic carbonates and chain carbonates) at controlled concentrations (5-50 wt% and 5-40 wt% respectively). This parameter modification enables the formation of a stable passive film on electrode surfaces, preventing corrosion while maintaining battery reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining multiple components: potassium salt, cyclic carbonate additives, chain carbonate additives, and water. This composite approach synergistically improves passivity formation and corrosion resistance, with each component contributing specific functional properties to the overall electrolyte system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If electrolyte concentration is increased to improve ionic conductivity, then ion transport improves, but viscosity increases and may hinder ion mobility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of different electrolyte components to achieve the desired balance. By controlling the amounts of cyclic carbonate (5-50 wt%), chain carbonate (5-40 wt%), and water (0.1-10 wt%), the electrolyte achieves high ionic conductivity while maintaining appropriate viscosity for ion mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite electrolyte formulation combining cyclic carbonates (for ionic conductivity), chain carbonates (for viscosity control), and water (for additional conductivity enhancement). This composite structure allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve high ionic conductivity and stable composition with controlled viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 proposed electrolyte solution significantly improves passivity formation and ionic conductivity, reducing corrosion and co-insertion into graphite, thereby enhancing the performance and stability of potassium ion batteries and capacitors.

Implementation Method 1

at least one potassium salt compound selected from the group consisting of potassium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide and potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

excellent in passivity formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPassivity formation: Electroplating

Data Source

PatentUS11227726B2Electrolyte solution for potassium ion battery, potassium ion battery, electrolyte solution for potassium ion capacitor, and potassium ion capacitor

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE

AI summary

An electrolyte solution for a potassium ion battery or a potassium ion capacitor, the electrolyte solution comprising at least one potassium salt compound selected from the group consisting of potassium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide and potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide and at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, pentaethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene carbonate, and propylene carbonate, in which a concentration of the potassium salt compound in the electrolyte solution is from 1.5 mol/kg to 12.0 mol/kg.