Silicon-Anode Battery Electrolyte for High-Temperature Cycling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional secondary batteries face challenges in achieving high energy density, long cycle life, and maintaining performance under high-temperature conditions due to the swelling of silicon-based negative active materials during charge-discharge cycles, which reduces electrochemical performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) with specific weight ratios in the electrolyte, along with lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) and lithium bisfluorosulfonimide (LiFSI), to enhance the high-temperature storage and cycle performance of silicon-based secondary batteries, while using silicon-based materials as negative active materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If silicon-based material is used as negative active material to improve energy density, then energy density is improved, but the silicon-based material swells during charge-discharge cycles causing electrochemical performance to deteriorate sharply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidelectrochemical performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by specifying precise weight ratios of EC (5-15%) and EMC (85-90%), which modifies the electrolyte's interaction with silicon-based materials during cycling, thereby suppressing swelling while maintaining high energy density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite electrolyte system combining multiple components (EC, EMC, and lithium salts) that work synergistically to address the swelling issue of silicon-based negative electrodes while preserving their high capacity benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional electrolyte composition is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but high-temperature storage and cycle performance are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrolyte preparation simplicityVSAvoidhigh-temperature performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of electrolyte components (EC at 5-15% and EMC at 85-90% by weight) to achieve a balance between ease of preparation and superior high-temperature performance, allowing standard manufacturing processes to produce high-performance batteries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 proposed solution effectively improves the high-temperature storage and cycle performance of secondary batteries, maintaining energy density and reducing gas production, thereby extending the battery's lifespan and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the organic solvent contains ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a weight ratio of the ethylene carbonate (EC) in the organic solvent is less than or equal to 10%, and a weight ratio of the ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) in the organic solvent is 80% to 95%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3913722B1Secondary battery and apparatus containing secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3913722B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3913722B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3913722B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The application provides a secondary battery and an apparatus including the same. The secondary battery includes a negative electrode plate and an electrolyte; the negative electrode plate includes a negative current collector and a negative electrode film disposed on at least one surface of the negative current collector and including a negative active material; and the electrolyte includes electrolyte salt and an organic solvent, where the negative active material includes a silicon-based material; and the organic solvent contains ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a weight ratio of the ethylene carbonate (EC) in the organic solvent is less than or equal to 10%, and a weight ratio of the ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) in the organic solvent is 70% to 95%. According to the application, the secondary battery and the apparatus including the same, in the premise of having a high energy density, can simultaneously have good high-temperature storage performance and high-temperature cycle performance.