Quasi-Solid Battery Electrolyte for Flame Resistance and Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolytes in lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries pose safety concerns due to flammability, leading to thermal runaway and explosion risks, and current alternatives like ionic liquids and solid state electrolytes have limitations such as high viscosity, low conductivity, and interfacial impedance, while existing solid state electrolytes are brittle and costly.
Innovation Solution
A quasi-solid electrolyte system comprising a polymer, lithium salt, and organic liquid solvent or ionic liquid solvent, with a polymerization or crosslinking product of reactive additives, and a flame-retardant additive, forming a crosslinked network with high elasticity and low vapor pressure, reducing flammability and enhancing conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organic liquid electrolytes are used in lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries, then good ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance are achieved, but thermal runaway and explosion risks occur due to flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite electrolyte system combining ionic liquid (providing non-flammability and thermal stability) with organic carbonate solvent (providing good ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance). This composite approach allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve safety through the ionic liquid component and electrochemical performance through the organic solvent component, resolving the contradiction between safety and performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ionic liquids are used as electrolyte, then non-flammability is achieved, but high viscosity at room temperature reduces lithium ion transport capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the ionic liquid by mixing it with organic carbonate solvent, which reduces the overall viscosity of the electrolyte system. This parameter change enables the ionic liquid to maintain its non-flammable property while achieving lower viscosity and improved lithium ion transport capability through the synergistic effect with the organic solvent.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If solid state electrolytes are used, then fire and explosion proof safety is achieved, but low conductivity and high interfacial impedance are observed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from completely solid to quasi-liquid by using ionic liquid mixed with organic carbonate solvent. This parameter change transforms the electrolyte into a fluid state that eliminates solid-state issues such as low conductivity and high interfacial impedance, while maintaining the non-flammable safety characteristic through the ionic liquid component.
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 electrolyte system is highly flame-resistant, maintaining high conductivity and reducing interfacial impedance, thus ensuring safety and compatibility with existing battery production facilities, while preventing fire and explosion hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive
Implementation Method 2
maintaining high conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolyte, comprising: (a) a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive, wherein the reactive additive comprises at least one reactive polymer, reactive oligomer, or reactive monomer and a curing agent or initiator and wherein the reactive polymer, oligomer, or monomer comprises at least a reactive carboxylic and/or a hydroxyl group; (b) a lithium salt; and (c) an organic liquid solvent or ionic liquid. The polymer preferably comprises a cross-linked network of chains from poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyethylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose, or a combination thereof. Also provided is a lithium battery comprising such an electrolyte.