Solid Electrolyte Membrane via Catalyst Inkjet Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing solid electrolyte membranes in secondary batteries require complex processes such as heating or UV hardening and involve high viscosity electrolyte inks, which limit the flexibility and efficiency of battery production.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electrolyte composition containing a lithium salt and a cycloolefin-based monomer, combined with a catalyst ink that promotes ring-opening polymerization, allows for the inkjet printing of a solid electrolyte membrane without the need for hardening processes, using a low viscosity ink that can be easily manipulated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional methods are used to manufacture solid electrolyte membranes, then the membrane structure is formed, but the process becomes complex and requires additional hardening steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate hardening step from the conventional manufacturing process. By incorporating the hardening function into the coating composition itself through photopolymerizable monomers and oligomers, the process is simplified to a single coating operation that simultaneously forms and hardens the electrolyte membrane layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the coating and hardening operations into a single step. The coating composition contains both the electrolyte precursors and photopolymerizable components, allowing the layer to be formed and cross-linked in one application process, thereby eliminating the need for separate hardening steps.
2Strength
If high viscosity electrolyte inks are used, then the electrolyte membrane can be formed, but the flexibility and efficiency of battery production is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the electrolyte ink by using low-viscosity photopolymerizable monomers and oligomers as the base composition. This allows the ink to be easily applied through conventional coating methods while maintaining the ability to form a strong, functional electrolyte membrane after photopolymerization hardening.
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 method enables the formation of a solid electrolyte membrane with improved strength and electrolytic characteristics, facilitating the production of thin, lightweight, and flexible batteries suitable for integrated circuit devices, while simplifying the manufacturing process and eliminating the need for additional hardening steps.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst which is dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent and promotes the ring-opening and polymerization reactions
Implementation Method 2
a lithium salt dissolved in the solvent... promotes the ring-opening and polymerization reactions
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolyte composition and catalyst ink, a solid electrolyte membrane formed by printing the electrolyte composition and catalyst ink, and a secondary battery including the solid electrolyte membrane. An electrolyte composition includes a solvent; a lithium salt dissolved in the solvent; and a cycloolefin-based monomer dissolved or dispersed in the solvent and a catalyst ink includes a catalyst that promotes the ring-opening and polymerization reactions of the cycloolefin monomers of the electrolyte composition.