Single-Ion Battery Electrolyte for Moisture-Stable Low-Flammability Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrolytes for metal batteries face challenges in achieving high ionic conductivity while minimizing flammability and maintaining stability against moisture, particularly in the presence of lithium metal anodes.
Innovation Solution
The use of a single-ion conducting compound of formula (I), comprising Al or B, Ar1, Y, and M+, with specific substituents and solvation, is introduced between the anode and cathode to enhance ionic conductivity and stability, using solvents like ethers and carbonates to optimize solvent content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrolytes are used in metal batteries, then ionic conductivity can be achieved, but flammability increases and stability against moisture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by using aluminate anions with specific organic groups (Ar1, Y, Ar1) instead of conventional fluorinated weakly-coordinating anions. This parameter change achieves both reduced flammability and improved moisture stability while maintaining ionic conductivity, as the aluminate structure provides inherent thermal stability and the organic substituents can be selected for flame resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrolyte formulations combining aluminate compounds with specific solvents (ethers and carbonates mentioned in the summary). This composite approach allows the electrolyte to benefit from both the stability of the aluminate anion and the beneficial properties of the solvent components, achieving a balance between ionic conductivity, flammability reduction, and moisture stability
2Productivity
If ionic conductivity is increased in electrolytes, then battery performance improves, but flammability and instability against moisture worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cation-to-anion ratio and selects specific cations (M+) to achieve high ionic conductivity while the aluminate anion structure inherently provides flame resistance. The parameters of the organic groups (Ar1, Y) are tuned to balance ionic mobility with thermal stability, allowing high conductivity without proportionally increasing flammability
3Reliability
If conventional electrolyte compositions are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but stability against moisture and reduction of flammability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrolyte composition by substituting conventional anions with aluminate anions featuring specific organic groups. These aluminate compounds can be synthesized through established chemical routes and dissolved in common battery solvents, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving superior moisture stability and reduced flammability
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
This approach significantly increases ionic conductivity and reduces flammability, while maintaining stability against moisture, thereby improving battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
a single-ion conducting compound of formula (I), comprising Al or B, Ar1, Y, and M+, with specific substituents and solvation, is introduced between the anode and cathode to enhance ionic conductivity
Implementation Method 2
M+ is a solvated cation... the solvate is selected from solvents comprising at least one ether group and solvents comprising a carbonate group
Data Source
AI summary
A metal battery or metal ion battery comprising an anode, a cathode and a compound of formula (I) disposed between the anode and the cathode: wherein X is Al or B; Ar1 in each occurrence is independently an unsubstituted or substituted arylene or heteroarylene group; Y is a divalent group; and M+ is a cation.