Solid Electrolyte for Wide-Temperature Battery Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid electrolytes for electrochemical systems, such as lithium batteries and fuel cells, face limitations in ion conductivity and mechanical strength, particularly at varying temperatures, and often require additional components like separators, which can compromise safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel cation- or proton-conducting solid electrolytes with specific anion and counter-cation combinations, organized in a crystalline state through solvent or melt routes, which act as both ion conductors and separators, enhancing ion mobility and thermal stability across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid electrolytes are used, then good ion conductivity is achieved, but safety problems arise due to low thermal stability of organic solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid by using polymer matrices, fundamentally altering the thermal stability parameter while maintaining ion conductivity through careful selection of polymer chemistry and crosslinking density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite gel electrolytes combining liquid electrolyte components (lithium salt in organic solvent) with a polymer gel matrix, achieving both good ion conductivity from the liquid phase and thermal stability from the solid polymer structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If poly(oxyethylenes) POE are used as solid polymer electrolytes, then safety is improved, but ion conductivity is limited and high working temperature (60 to 80°C) is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the operating temperature parameter by introducing gel electrolytes that maintain flexibility and ion conductivity at lower temperatures, eliminating the need for 60-80°C operating conditions required by conventional POE solid polymers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the gel phase as an intermediate state between solid and liquid, allowing the electrolyte to exhibit both the safety of solid polymers and the ion conductivity of liquid electrolytes at ambient temperatures
3Device complexity
If conventional solid polymer electrolytes are used, then separator function is provided, but additional separators are still required which compromise safety and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electrolyte multi-functional by designing it to simultaneously provide ion conduction, physical separation between electrodes, and safety shutdown functionality, eliminating the need for separate separator components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the electrolyte and separator into a single integrated gel electrolyte layer that performs both ion transport and physical isolation of electrodes
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 solid electrolytes exhibit improved ion conductivity and electrochemical stability, allowing electrochemical systems to function effectively from -40°C to 200°C without the need for additional separators, thus broadening the operational temperature range and enhancing performance.
Implementation Method 1
Transport of the proton or of the alkali or alkaline-earth metal cation, in particular the lithium ion, between the cathode and the anode is ensured by an ion-conducting electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
organized in a crystalline state through solvent or melt routes, which act as both ion conductors and separators, enhancing ion mobility
Data Source
AI summary
A compound containing at least one species of formula (I):where:Ax− is an anion of valency x equal to 1 or 2 chosen from sulfonate, sulfonylimide of —SO2—N−—SO2CyF2y+1 type with y being an integer between 0 and 4; borate, borane, phosphate, phosphinate, phosphonate, silicate, carbonate, sulfide, selenate, nitrate and perchlorate anions;Cx+ is a counter-cation of the anion Ax−, chosen from a proton H+ and alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal cations;p is an integer ranging from 1 to 10;E is an organic spacer comprising a linear sequence of at least two covalent bonds;n is an integer greater than or equal to 2; andG represents:(a) a groupor (b) a groupthe anion Ax− being covalently bonded to the polycyclic group Ar.