Solid Ionically Conducting Polymer with Charge Transfer Complexes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solid polymer electrolytes face limitations in achieving high ionic conductivity at room temperature due to their reliance on segmental motion, which requires amorphous phases and low glass transition temperatures, making them unsuitable for practical applications.

Innovation Solution

A solid, ionically conductive polymer material with crystallinity greater than 30% and a glassy state at temperatures below its melting point, incorporating charge transfer complexes and specific monomers, enables ionic conductivity through a new conduction mechanism that functions in both crystalline and amorphous phases, allowing for the use of abundant and low-cost active materials in battery applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polymer electrolytes rely on segmental motion for ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but the material requires amorphous phases and low glass transition temperatures which deteriorates mechanical stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidmechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of ionic conduction mechanism from segmental motion-dependent to vacancy-hopping mechanism. This is achieved by modifying the polymer structure to include rigid rod-coil block copolymer segments with specific glass transition temperatures, creating a dual-phase system where ionic conduction occurs through vacancy hopping rather than segmental motion, thereby decoupling ionic conductivity from mechanical stability requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite rod-coil block copolymer structure combining rigid rod segments (providing mechanical stability and defining conduction pathways) with flexible coil segments (providing processability and ion transport sites). This composite architecture enables the material to simultaneously achieve high mechanical stability through the rigid phase and adequate ionic conductivity through the coordinated vacancy-hopping mechanism across both phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If ceramics are used as solid electrolytes to achieve high ionic conductivity, then conductivity is improved, but manufacturability and brittleness worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the ceramic solid electrolyte system with an organic polymer-based system that exhibits solid-like mechanical properties but enables ionic conduction through a different mechanism (vacancy hopping rather than liquid-like segmental motion). This substitution allows the material to be processed using conventional polymer processing techniques such as extrusion and molding, dramatically improving manufacturability while maintaining high ionic conductivity and eliminating ceramic brittleness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If liquid plasticizers are added to PEO to enhance ambient conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but mechanical integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidmechanical integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not adding plasticizers to PEO, but rather designing a completely new polymer architecture (rod-coil block copolymer) where the rigid rod segments provide mechanical strength and the coil segments with incorporated ionic sites provide conductivity through vacancy hopping. This inversion eliminates the need for plasticizers entirely, maintaining mechanical integrity while achieving high ionic conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 enables ionic conduction at room temperature, enhancing the performance and cycle life of batteries by providing high ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, while being non-flammable and compatible with electrochemically active materials, thus facilitating the development of transformative battery technologies.

Implementation Method 1

A new ionic conduction mechanism which enables ionic conduction in both the crystalline phase and the amorphous glassy state of a polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of charge transfer complexes and a plurality of monomers, wherein each charge transfer complex is positioned on a monomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCharge transfer: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS11319411B2Solid ionically conducting polymer material

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 IONIC MATERIALS INC

AI summary

A solid, ionically conductive, non-electrically conducting polymer material with a plurality of monomers and a plurality of charge transfer complexes, wherein each charge transfer complex is positioned on a monomer.