Redox-Active Organic Electrode Material for Flexible Battery Applications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion batteries face limitations in achieving high area-specific charge densities and current densities due to insufficient ion and electron percolation in redox polymer materials, leading to poor performance and safety concerns, such as flammability and explosion risks, while also being non-flexible and environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
Development of a colloidal precursor solution of nanoscale redox-active organic oligomers or polymers combined with nanoscale graphitic materials, forming a molecular complex that self-assembles into hierarchical structures for improved electron and ion percolation, allowing for high current and capacity densities, flexibility, and environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If redox polymer materials are used in lithium-ion batteries, then environmental friendliness and biodegradability are improved, but ion and electron percolation is insufficient leading to poor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines redox-active organic oligomers or polymers with nanoscale graphitic materials to create a composite electrode material. This composite structure leverages the environmental benefits of organic polymers while incorporating conductive graphitic materials to enhance electron and ion percolation, thereby improving overall battery performance without sacrificing environmental friendliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates hierarchical structures with different scales (nanoscale, microscale, macroscale) where each level has optimized properties for specific functions. The nanoscale graphitic materials provide local conductive pathways for electrons and ions, while the organic polymer matrix provides environmental friendliness and structural framework, achieving both performance and sustainability at different local levels.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional lithium-ion battery materials are used, then high energy density is achieved, but flammability and explosion risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrode materials by using organic oligomers and polymers instead of conventional inorganic materials. This parameter change maintains energy density while fundamentally altering the safety profile by eliminating the flammability and explosion risks associated with traditional lithium-ion battery materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs organic materials that can be designed to be less hazardous and potentially biodegradable, replacing persistent, hazardous inorganic materials. While the energy density may be slightly reduced compared to conventional materials, the safety improvements and environmental benefits make this a worthwhile trade-off for sustainable energy storage.
3Quantity of substance
If crystalline cathode systems are used, then high capacity is achieved, but flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses organic oligomer and polymer materials that inherently possess flexibility and can be processed into thin films or coated onto flexible substrates. This allows the creation of flexible battery structures while maintaining adequate capacity through optimized material composition and hierarchical structuring, enabling bendable and wearable energy storage devices.
4Reliability
If heavy metals are used in battery materials, then performance is improved, but environmental and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates heavy metals from the battery material composition entirely, replacing them with organic oligomers and polymers. This extraction of harmful substances maintains performance through the use of nanoscale graphitic materials and optimized polymer structures while completely removing the environmental and safety hazards associated with heavy metal content.
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 enables the creation of electrodes with enhanced area-specific current densities and capacities, flexibility, and biodegradability, overcoming the limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries and providing performance comparable to those containing heavy metals without the environmental and safety hazards.
Implementation Method 1
forming a molecular complex that self-assembles into hierarchical structures for improved electron and ion percolation
Implementation Method 2
an electrode material, in particular for accumulators, this first being in the form of a colloidal precursor product solution
Data Source
AI summary
In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to an electrode material, wherein the latter is embodied in the form of a colloidal solution of a molecular complex comprising nanoscale redox-active organic oligomer and/or polymer and at least nanoscale graphitic material. Furthermore, a method for producing electrodes is provided, as are corresponding electrodes. Moreover, the present invention relates to electrochemical cells comprising electrodes according to the invention and/or electrode material according to the invention. Finally, a method for producing redox-active organic oligomers and/or polymers is described.