Sodium Ion Battery Electrolyte SEI Formation for Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sodium ion batteries face challenges in achieving high-temperature stability, initial discharge capacity, and electrode stability, particularly with the dissolution of metals like manganese, which affects their lifetime and performance.

Innovation Solution

The use of an electrolyte composition comprising sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F) or sodium difluorophosphate (NaPO2F2) forms a Solid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) and includes conducting salts like NaPF6 and additives such as monofluoroethylene carbonate, enhancing thermal stability and preventing electrolyte decomposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional electrolyte compositions are used in sodium ion batteries, then the battery can operate, but thermal stability deteriorates at high temperatures and electrode decomposition occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidelectrode stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a film-forming additive as an intermediary substance that mediates between the electrolyte and electrode. This additive preferentially reacts to form a protective SEI film that acts as a barrier, preventing direct contact and harmful reactions between the electrolyte and electrode materials at high temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and electrode stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by incorporating specific film-forming additives with controlled concentrations. This parameter change enables the electrolyte to form stable protective films on electrode surfaces, transforming the electrolyte's properties to achieve both high-temperature stability and electrode protection simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If conventional electrolyte compositions are used, then the battery structure is simple, but initial discharge capacity and lifetime are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifetimeVSAvoidelectrolyte composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite electrolyte system by combining conventional electrolyte components with specialized film-forming additives. This composite approach leverages the benefits of each component: the base electrolyte provides ionic conductivity while the additive components form protective films, achieving extended battery lifetime through synergistic material composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The film-forming additives perform preliminary action by reacting first during initial charging cycles to form stable SEI films on electrode surfaces. This preliminary film formation prevents subsequent electrolyte decomposition and electrode degradation during normal operation, thereby extending battery lifetime without requiring complex structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If standard electrolyte compositions are used, then manufacturing is simple, but metal dissolution occurs affecting performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to metal dissolutionVSAvoidelectrolyte preparation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The film-forming additive serves as an intermediary protective layer between the electrolyte and metal electrodes. This additive preferentially reacts to form a stable SEI film that acts as a barrier, preventing metal dissolution into the electrolyte while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through straightforward electrolyte preparation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration improves the sodium ion battery's thermal stability, initial discharge capacity, and extends its lifetime by preventing electrode decomposition and metal dissolution, especially at high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

the sodium compound selected from the group of sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium difluorophosphate and mixture thereof can advantageously form SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interface) in the sodium ion battery, for example on the surface of cathode and/or anode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) formation:

Implementation Method 2

cations in the electrolyte composition enabling electrons to keep flowing to conduct electricity in the battery system usually comprise sodium ions as main conducting-cations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2982003B1Sodium ion battery
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 SOLVAY SA

AI summary

Disclosed is an electrolyte composition, suitable for sodium ion battery, comprising at least one sodium compound selected from the group consisting of sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F), sodium difluorophosphate (Na PO2F2) and mixture thereof, and a sodium ion battery comprising the same.