Quasi-Solid Electrode Material for Alkali Metal Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries face limitations in achieving high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, power density, and electrode thickness due to low active material mass loading, poor conductivity, and safety concerns related to flammability.
Innovation Solution
The development of a method to produce lithium or sodium batteries with quasi-solid electrodes, utilizing a high concentration of alkali metal salts in electrolytes and conductive filaments to form a 3D network of electron-conducting pathways, allowing for thicker electrodes with high active material loading and improved ion transport, while suppressing flammability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid electrolytes with low salt concentration are used, then the battery exhibits good ion transport and flexibility, but the system suffers from flammability hazards and low energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the electrolyte by using high concentration alkali metal salts (e.g., LiTFSI, NaTFSI) at concentrations exceeding 1 M, which fundamentally alters the electrolyte's properties to achieve non-flammability while maintaining ion transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrode material system combining active material particles, conductive filaments (carbon nanotubes, graphene), and high concentration electrolyte, where the synergistic interaction of components achieves both safety and performance
2Quantity of substance
If thin electrodes with low active material loading are used, then the battery achieves good ion transport and manufacturing simplicity, but the system suffers from low energy density and low power density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local conductive pathways through conductive filaments distributed within the electrode structure, ensuring electrical connectivity is maintained in thick electrodes with high active material loading, which would otherwise be difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar 2D electrode structures to 3D thick electrode structures with embedded conductive networks, enabling high active material loading while maintaining electrical conductivity through the additional dimensional complexity
3Reliability
If graphite-based anodes are used to improve safety, then the battery achieves inherent safety through ionic state lithium, but the system suffers from low specific capacity and long recharge times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite electrode materials combining active material particles with conductive filaments and high concentration electrolyte, achieving both safety and high power density through the synergistic composite structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from conventional liquid to high concentration quasi-solid state, which enables faster ion transport while maintaining safety characteristics
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 approach results in batteries with unprecedented high energy and power densities, enhanced safety due to non-flammability, and increased electrode thickness, overcoming the limitations of conventional battery production methods.
Implementation Method 1
the conductive additive, containing conductive filaments, forms a 3D network of electron-conducting pathways
Implementation Method 2
combining a quantity of an active material (an anode active material or a cathode active material), a quantity of an electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preparing an alkali metal cell having a quasi-solid electrode, the method comprising: (a) combining a quantity of an active material, a quantity of an electrolyte, and a conductive additive to form a deformable and electrically conductive electrode material, wherein the conductive additive, containing conductive filaments, forms a 3D network of electron-conducting pathways; (b) forming the electrode material into a quasi-solid electrode, wherein the forming step includes deforming the electrode material into an electrode shape without interrupting the 3D network of electron-conducting pathways such that the electrode maintains an electrical conductivity no less than 10−6 S/cm; (c) forming a second electrode; and (d) forming an alkali metal cell by combining the quasi-solid electrode and the second electrode having an ion-conducting separator disposed between the two electrodes.