Silsesquioxane-PAG Polymer Electrolyte for Ionic Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lithium polymer secondary batteries face challenges in achieving high ionic conductivity while maintaining compatibility, stability, and mechanical properties due to the limitations of plasticizers used to reduce crystallinity in polymer electrolytes.

Innovation Solution

A solid polymer electrolyte composition is developed by linking silsesquioxane to a polyalkylene glycol polymer chain with urethane bonds, combined with a lithium salt, forming a matrix through a sol-gel reaction, which enhances compatibility, stability, flexibility, and ionic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plasticizer is added to lower crystallinity and increase ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidcompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite polymer electrolyte by combining polyalkylene glycol (PAG) with silsesquioxane units through condensation reaction. This composite structure integrates the ionic conductivity benefits of plasticized polymers with the structural stability and compatibility of silsesquioxane, resolving the contradiction between ionic conductivity and compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of the polymer electrolyte by introducing silsesquioxane units with specific R groups (C1-C20 alkylene/alkyl groups) and controlling the parameter n (1-150). These parameter changes enable tuning of both ionic conductivity and compatibility simultaneously, avoiding the need for external plasticizers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If plasticizer is added to reduce crystallinity, then flexibility is improved, but stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The silsesquioxane-containing polymer combines the flexibility of reduced crystallinity with the thermal and chemical stability of silsesquioxane structures. The inorganic-organic hybrid nature of silsesquoxane provides structural rigidity that maintains stability while the polyalkylene glycol backbone ensures flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces silsesquioxane units at specific positions within the polymer chain (controlled by parameter n), creating local regions of enhanced stability within the overall flexible polymer matrix. This localized modification allows flexibility to be maintained while stability is improved at critical structural points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a solid polymer electrolyte with superior ionic conductivity, stability, and mechanical properties, suitable for use in lithium secondary batteries, overcoming the limitations of traditional plasticizer-based approaches.

Implementation Method 1

the condensation reaction between a polyalkylene glycol (PAG) and an isocyanate-based silane compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Implementation Method 2

a matrix comprising polyalkylene glycol polymer gel prepared by subjecting a polyalkylene glycol (PAG) polymer having urethane bonds by Structural Formula 1 below to a sol-gel reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSol-gel reaction:

Data Source

PatentUS11031624B2Polysilsesquioxane polyalkylene glycol polymer having urethane bonds, solid polymer electrolyte composition comprising the same and method of preparing the same

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

AI summary

Disclosed is a polyalkylene glycol (PAG) polymer having urethane bonds, represented by Structural Formula 1 below.The present invention further relates to a solid polymer electrolyte composition, composed of a polyalkylene glycol polymer having urethane bonds, and a lithium salt. The solid polymer electrolyte of the invention can exhibit superior compatibility, stability, flexibility, mechanical properties and ionic conductivity.