Rechargeable Battery Cell With SO2 Electrolyte and Stable 5 V Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable lithium-ion cells with organic electrolytes face issues such as instability, safety risks due to flammability, and reduced energy density, while SO2-based electrolytes suffer from poor solubility of conductive salts and undesired reactions at high potentials.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery cell with an SO2-based electrolyte containing a conductive salt with the formula (I), where M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal, aluminum, or boron, and R1, R2, R3, R4 are alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl groups, ensuring high solubility and oxidation stability up to 5.0 volts, and using discharge elements made of aluminum or copper to prevent reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organic electrolytes are used in lithium-ion cells, then the cells can operate at reasonable voltages, but the cells suffer from instability, safety risks due to flammability, and reduced energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by using SO2 as the solvent instead of organic carbonates, and by employing specific conductive salts (LiAlCl4, LiGaCl4, LiInCl4, or LiScCl4) with defined concentrations (0.5-2.0 mol/L), thereby transforming the electrolyte from flammable organic-based to non-flammable SO2-based while maintaining operational stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert electrochemical environment by using SO2 as the electrolyte solvent, which is inherently non-flammable and chemically stable, replacing the flammable organic electrolyte environment. This inert environment eliminates fire hazards while allowing the battery to operate at high voltages (4.0-5.0 V) without decomposition
2Reliability
If SO2-based electrolytes are used, then safety and stability improve, but conductive salts show poor solubility and undesired reactions occur at high potentials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of conductive salts in the SO2 electrolyte to 0.5-2.0 mol/L, which maximizes solubility and ionic conductivity. This specific concentration range ensures sufficient dissolution of the conductive salt (LiAlCl4, LiGaCl4, LiInCl4, or LiScCl4) while preventing saturation and precipitation, thereby resolving the solubility issue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining SO2 solvent with specific conductive salts (LiAlCl4, LiGaCl4, LiInCl4, or LiScCl4) that are chemically compatible. This composite formulation ensures high solubility and prevents undesired reactions at high potentials, as these specific salt-SO2 combinations maintain stability up to 5.0 V
3Object-affected harmful factors
If SO2-based electrolytes are used, then safety improves, but undesired reactions occur at the discharge elements at high potentials above 4.0 volts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the potential operating parameter by enabling the battery to operate at high voltages (4.0-5.0 V) using the SO2-based electrolyte with specific conductive salts. This parameter change allows the system to access higher energy density regimes while maintaining chemical stability, as the SO2 electrolyte with these salts does not undergo undesired reactions even at potentials above 4.0 V
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite electrolyte formulation (SO2 + specific conductive salt) that provides both safety and high-potential stability. The specific combination of SO2 with LiAlCl4, LiGaCl4, LiInCl4, or LiScCl4 creates a chemically stable system that resists decomposition and undesired reactions at high potentials, unlike conventional organic electrolytes
4Use of energy by moving object
If the cell voltage is increased to improve energy density, then more energy is stored per unit volume, but the electrolyte decomposes oxidatively above a certain upper cell voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage operating parameter to enable operation at 4.0-5.0 V, significantly higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries. The SO2-based electrolyte with specific conductive salts maintains stability at these elevated voltages, preventing oxidative decomposition and allowing the battery to achieve higher energy density through increased cell voltage
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 rechargeable battery cell with enhanced stability, high energy density, improved overcharge and deep discharge capabilities, and extended service life, while being resistant to thermal and mechanical abuses, and having low self-discharge and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The electrolyte is based on SO2 and contains at least one first conductive salt... at least one ion of the conductive salt (anion or cation) is mobile in the electrolyte in such a way that ion conduction allows a charge transport between the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
When charging and discharging a battery cell, a potential difference is built up between the electrodes. Reactions of the discharge element with the active electrode materials or the electrolyte can be promoted by this potential difference... The electrons (e−) released in the electrode reactions of the first electrode are released into the external circuit
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a rechargeable battery cell containing an active metal, at least one positive electrode with a discharge element, at least one negative electrode with a discharge element, a housing, and an electrolyte, the discharge element of the positive electrode and the discharge element of the negative electrode being embodied independently of one another from a material selected from the group formed by aluminum and copper, and wherein the electrolyte is based on SO2 and contains at least one conductive salt which has the formula (I),wherein M is a metal selected from the group formed by alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, metals of group 12 of the periodic table of elements, and aluminum; x is an integer from 1 to 3; the substituents R1, R2, R3, and R4 are selected independently of one another from the group formed by C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl, and C5-C14 heteroaryl; and wherein Z is aluminum or boron.