Pyrrolidinium Ionic Liquid Electrolyte for High-Temperature Battery Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rechargeable battery technologies face limitations in operating temperature range, particularly between 80° C and 220° C, due to inadequate thermal properties of electrolytes, which restrict their use in high-temperature applications such as oil and gas production wellbores where temperatures can reach up to 200° C.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrochemical element using a pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquid electrolyte with a cation comprising a pyrrolidinium ring structure, paired with an intercalation material cathode having an upper reversible-potential-limit of at most 4 V versus Li/Li+, enabling stable operation at high temperatures up to 150° C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional electrolytes are used in batteries, then the battery can operate at standard temperatures, but the battery cannot operate stably at high temperatures above 80°C due to thermal instability of the electrolyte
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by using pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquids instead of conventional electrolytes. This parameter change enables the electrolyte to maintain stability at high temperatures up to 150°C, resolving the contradiction between temperature range and electrolyte stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material design by combining pyrrolidinium cations with various anions to create ionic liquid electrolytes with enhanced thermal stability. This composite approach allows the electrolyte to withstand high operating temperatures while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If batteries are designed for high temperature operation, then they can function in harsh environments like oil wellbores, but the battery chemistry becomes limited and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrolyte composition to pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquids, which maintain high ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability at elevated temperatures. This parameter change enables the battery to achieve both environmental adaptability (operation up to 150°C) and energy efficiency through stable cycling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the local chemical environment at the electrode-electrolyte interface by selecting specific pyrrolidinium ionic liquid compositions. This local optimization ensures efficient charge transfer and minimal polarization losses, maintaining energy efficiency while adapting to high-temperature environments.
3Power
If standard intercalation materials are used with high operating potentials, then higher voltage is achieved, but the materials become unstable at high temperatures above 80°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating voltage window parameter to be more conservative (avoiding potentials above 4.0V vs Li/Li+) when using pyrrolidinium ionic liquid electrolytes at high temperatures. This parameter adjustment prevents cathode material degradation and electrolyte oxidation, maintaining composition stability while still achieving practical voltages.
Solution Approach 2:
The pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquid acts as an intermediary between the cathode material and the high-temperature environment. It provides a stable electrochemical interface that protects the cathode from direct thermal degradation while allowing efficient electron transfer, thus maintaining both voltage and stability.
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
This configuration provides stable and efficient electrical energy storage and delivery, with demonstrated cycling stability and high efficiency in batteries tested at temperatures up to 150° C, using suitable intercalation materials like Li4Ti5O12 and TiS2, overcoming the limitations of existing battery technologies.
Implementation Method 1
An electrolyte is a compound, or combination of compounds, capable of conducting electricity in the form of an ionic current, carried by mobile ions
Implementation Method 2
An intercalation or insertion compound is a host compound in which a guest species can be stored or from which it can be extracted
Implementation Method 3
The reactions at the electrodes, involving transfer of electrons from one substance to another and thus the reduction and oxidation of the substances, are called redox reactions
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical element for use at a high temperature has an anode, a cathode comprising an intercalation material having an upper reversible potential-limit of at most 4 V versus Li/Li+ as active material, and an electrolyte arranged between the cathode and anode, which electrolyte comprises an ionic liquid with an anion and a cation a pyrrolidinium ring structure having four Carbon atoms and one Nitrogen atom. Experiments revealed that rechargeable batteries comprising such an intercalation material and N—R1—N—R2-pyrrolidinium, wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups and R1 may be methyl and R2 may be butyl or hexyl, are particularly suitable for use at a temperature of up to about 150 degrees Celsius and may be used in oil and/or gas production wells.