Segmented Solid Polymer Electrolyte for Low-Resistance Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-state electrolytes in batteries face issues such as high internal resistance, low ionic conductivity, and lack of intimate contact with electrodes, leading to limited performance and safety concerns due to the use of liquid electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state polymer electrolyte system is developed using a multi-segmented polymer film with soft and hard segments, which is grafted onto the electrode, enhancing ion transport and mechanical properties, and preventing dendrite formation through electro-grafting and fluorinated monolayer bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolytes are used in batteries, then ionic conductivity is achieved, but safety risks increase due to fire and explosion hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from liquid to solid polymer form, eliminating flammability while maintaining ionic conductivity through the solid polymer matrix. This parameter change resolves the safety contradiction by removing the harmful fire and explosion risks inherent in liquid electrolytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite polymer electrolyte systems combining multiple polymer components with distinct functions - one polymer provides structural integrity and mechanical strength while another provides ionic conductivity pathways. This composite approach maintains the safety advantages of solid-state electrolytes while ensuring sufficient ionic transport performance.
2Reliability
If solid-state electrolytes are used to improve safety, then ionic conductivity decreases leading to high internal resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the solid polymer electrolyte into distinct functional domains: rigid segments provide structural stability and safety, while soft or amorphous segments create continuous pathways for ion transport. This segmentation allows the electrolyte to simultaneously achieve high safety from the solid-state structure and high ionic conductivity through the conductive pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality differentiation within the polymer electrolyte structure, where specific regions are designed with high ionic conductivity (amorphous or flexible segments) while other regions provide mechanical strength and stability (crystalline or rigid segments). This local optimization resolves the contradiction between safety and power by ensuring each region performs its specialized function.
3Strength
If solid-state electrolytes are used, then mechanical strength improves, but intimate contact with electrodes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the solid polymer electrolyte through incorporating flexible or elastomeric components that can deform and conform to the electrode surface topology. This dynamic property allows the electrolyte to maintain intimate contact with electrodes while preserving overall mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures with controlled flexibility that can conform to electrode surfaces while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible nature of the film ensures intimate contact with the electrode for reliable performance, while the thin film structure itself provides sufficient mechanical strength and stability.
4Power
If multi-segmented polymer structure is implemented to improve ionic conductivity, then device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple polymer components into a single integrated multi-segmented polymer structure through copolymerization or blending techniques. This merging approach creates a unified material with built-in conductive pathways while avoiding the complexity of assembling separate components, thus improving ionic conductivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 improves ionic conductivity, reduces polarization overpotential, enhances safety by preventing dendrite formation, and increases energy and power density, while providing a stable environment for battery operation.
Implementation Method 1
The use of liquid electrolytes in current batteries can readily react with the solid metal anode electrode creating harsh operation conditions... it is advantageous to replace liquid electrolytes with solid-state electrolytes
Implementation Method 2
A solid-state polymer electrolyte system is developed using a multi-segmented polymer film with soft and hard segments, which is grafted onto the electrode
Implementation Method 3
enhancing ion transport and mechanical properties, and preventing dendrite formation through electro-grafting and fluorinated monolayer bonding
Data Source
AI summary
Solid-state polymer electrolyte systems and methods of making the same are disclosed. The solid-state polymer electrolyte can be a multi-segmented polymer that includes two high-contrast segments. The high-contrast segments can be, respectively, soft segments and one or more hard segments. Batteries with a solid-state polymer electrolyte system is also disclosed.