Solid Polymer Electrolyte with Carbonyl Groups for Room Temperature Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries face challenges such as high operational temperatures, low ionic conductivity at room temperature, and poor mechanical strength, limiting their commercial viability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A solid polymer electrolyte composition is developed, incorporating a reinforcing substrate, ethylene oxide portions, hydrocarbon portions with polar carbonyl groups, and lithium ions from small molecule lithium salts, which is saturated with a plasticizer and formed using a photoinitiator and light irradiation to achieve improved ionic conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PEO based solid electrolytes are used at room temperature, then mechanical strength is maintained, but ionic conductivity is low (e.g., 10^-5 S/cm)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of the polymer electrolyte by incorporating carbonyl groups (such as in poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate and vinylene carbonate) to increase polymer polarizability. This parameter change in molecular structure enhances the interaction with lithium ions, achieving ionic conductivity of at least 10^-3 mS/cm at 25°C without requiring elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer electrolyte system combining multiple components: PEO-based polymer chains, carbonyl-containing monomers (vinylene carbonate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate), lithium salts, and plasticizers. This composite approach synergistically improves ionic conductivity while maintaining mechanical integrity at room temperature
2Productivity
If melt casting method is used to form solid polymer electrolytes, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but crystallization occurs which reduces ionic conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polymer electrolyte by incorporating plasticizers that reduce crystallinity and promote amorphous structure formation. This parameter change prevents crystallization during melt casting while maintaining high ionic conductivity, allowing efficient manufacturing without sacrificing performance
3Volume of moving object
If polymer electrolyte thickness is reduced to improve battery energy density, then device compactness is improved, but mechanical strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite polymer electrolyte with enhanced mechanical properties through the incorporation of carbonyl-containing polymers and plasticizers. This composite structure provides sufficient mechanical strength and stability even at reduced thicknesses, enabling thin electrolyte designs that maintain structural integrity while improving battery energy density
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 achieves an ionic conductivity of at least 10−3 mS/cm at 25° C., enhancing the mechanical strength and operational efficiency of lithium batteries while maintaining flexibility and thermal stability.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a plasticizer, a small molecule lithium salt, and a photoinitiator to form a second solution, mixing the first and second solution to form a final solution, applying the final solution to a reinforcing substrate, and exposing the final solution to light irradiation
Data Source
AI summary
A solid polymer electrolyte having a reinforcing substrate, a polymer having ethylene oxide portions and hydrocarbon portions with pendent functional groups having high relative permittivity for an electrochemical cell is provided. The solid polymer electrolyte may provide good ionic conductivity at room temperature and good mechanical strength.