Quasi-Solid Lithium Battery Electrolytes for Flame Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrolytes for lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries pose safety concerns due to thermal runaway and flammability issues, and existing solid-state electrolytes are not compatible with existing battery production facilities.

Innovation Solution

A quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte system comprising a polymerization product of a reactive additive, including a polymerizable first liquid solvent, an initiator, a lithium salt, and an optional second liquid solvent, which reduces or eliminates volatile solvents, enhancing lithium ion conductivity and flame resistance while being compatible with current manufacturing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional organic liquid electrolytes are used, then lithium ion conductivity is maintained, but thermal runaway and flammability occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidflammability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs phase transition by polymerizing liquid monomer electrolytes into solid or quasi-solid polymer electrolytes. This phase change from liquid to solid state eliminates flammability while maintaining lithium ion conductivity through the polymer matrix structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrolyte by using polymerizable monomers with specific functional groups (acrylate, methacrylate, vinylene carbonate) and controlling polymerization conditions to achieve optimal balance between safety, conductivity, and mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If solid state electrolytes are used, then flammability is reduced, but compatibility with existing production facilities is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflammabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating polymerizable monomer electrolytes and initiators into the electrode slurry before drying and formation. This allows the polymer electrolyte to be formed in-situ within the battery structure during standard manufacturing processes, ensuring compatibility with existing production lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses polymerizable monomer electrolytes as intermediaries that can be processed like conventional liquid electrolytes but transform into solid-state polymers. This intermediary state enables compatibility with liquid electrolyte handling equipment while achieving solid-state safety benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If polymerizable liquid solvents are polymerized, then flame resistance is enhanced, but lithium ion conductivity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame resistanceVSAvoidlithium ion conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite electrolyte systems by combining polymerizable monomers (for flame resistance) with lithium salts and optional inorganic additives. This composite structure maintains lithium ion conductivity pathways while the polymer matrix provides flame resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different polymerization degrees and monomer compositions within the electrolyte. This allows optimization of specific areas for either flame resistance or lithium ion conductivity based on local requirements within the battery structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 a safe, flame-resistant electrolyte with reduced interfacial impedance and internal resistance, enabling high-energy density and long cycle life, and is compatible with existing lithium-ion battery production equipment.

Implementation Method 1

the electrolyte comprises a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

an initiator or curing agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction initiation: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS11949109B2Flame-resistant electrodes lithium containing quasi-solid or solid-state electrolytes and manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 HONEYCOMB BATTERY CO

AI summary

An electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, the electrode comprising an electrode active material layer comprising an electrode active material that is in physical contact with or mixed with a quasi-solid or solid-state electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte comprises a polymer, which is a polymerization or crosslinking product of a reactive additive (reactive liquid electrolyte) comprising (i) a first liquid solvent that is polymerizable, (ii) an initiator and/or curing agent, (iii) a lithium salt, and (iv) an optional second liquid solvent; wherein the first liquid solvent occupies from 1% to 99% by weight and the second solvent, if present, occupies from 0.1% to 99% by weight based on the total weight of the reactive additive; wherein the first liquid solvent has a lower flash point, a higher vapor pressure, a higher dielectric constant, or a higher solubility of the lithium salt as compared with the second liquid solvent.