Silane-Functionalized Ionic Liquid Electrolyte for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ionic liquids used in lithium and lithium-ion batteries face issues such as low voltage, high viscosity, poor wettability, and flammability, which limit their performance and safety for commercial applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of an electrolyte formulation using ionic liquids with organic, heterocyclic cations appended with silane moieties and carbonate esters, which provides a nonflammable, high-performance, wide operating temperature range solution for electrochemical cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ionic liquids are used as electrolyte, then the electrolyte is nonflammable, but the viscosity is high and wettability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of ionic liquid cations by introducing silane groups and adjusting alkyl chain lengths to optimize the balance between viscosity and nonflammability. Specific structural parameters (silane substitution patterns, carbon chain lengths) are tuned to achieve lower viscosity while maintaining the inherent nonflammable character of ionic liquids.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte uses composite ionic liquid structures combining heterocyclic cations with silane functional groups. These composite molecular structures integrate the benefits of both conventional ionic liquids (nonflammability) and silane-modified liquids (reduced viscosity, improved wettability).
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ionic liquid is used as electrolyte, then the electrolyte is nonflammable, but the voltage is low and rate capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies key parameters including cation structure (different heterocyclic rings), anion selection, and silane group configuration to optimize electrochemical window and voltage output. This parameter optimization enables achieving higher operating voltages while maintaining nonflammability.
3Quantity of substance
If silane functional groups are added to ionic liquid cations, then the solubility and compatibility with electrode materials improve, but the molecular complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The silane functional groups are strategically positioned at specific locations on the ionic liquid cation structure (e.g., N-substitution positions) to provide localized interaction with electrode materials and electrolyte components. This localized functionalization improves solubility and compatibility without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire molecular structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Silane functionalized ionic liquids are disclosed as a part of an electrolyte for an electrical energy storage device including an aprotic organic solvent; an alkali metal salt; an additive; and an ionic compound including an anion and cation, wherein the cation is attached to a functional group including a silane functional group according to the base Formula (I)