In-Situ Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Low-Resistance Battery Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid polymer electrolytes face challenges such as low ambient-temperature bulk ionic conductivity, high interface resistance, and difficulty in infiltrating viscous polymers into nano-sized cathode pores, which hinders their application in batteries due to sensitivity to temperature and polymer interactions, and propensity for current collector corrosion.
Innovation Solution
The in-situ formation of solid-state polymer electrolytes through ring-opening polymerization of liquid ether-based electrolytes using aluminum triflate as an initiator, which transforms a liquid electrolyte into a solid electrolyte with improved ionic conductivity and interfacial resistance, enabling efficient ion transport and stability in batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid polymer electrolytes are used to improve safety and prevent dendritic deposition, then battery safety is improved, but bulk ionic conductivity at ambient temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from solid to liquid, transforming conventional solid polymer electrolytes into liquid electrolytes that maintain both high ionic conductivity at ambient temperature and safety features. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing the electrolyte to achieve >1 mS/cm ionic conductivity while preventing dendritic deposition through controlled solidification during charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining liquid electrolyte properties (high conductivity) with solid-state benefits (safety, dendrite prevention). The liquid electrolyte infiltrates cathode pores effectively while the controlled solidification process provides mechanical stability and safety, achieving both high ionic conductivity and battery safety simultaneously.
2Reliability
If solid polymer electrolytes are used to prevent dendritic deposition, then battery stability is improved, but interfacial resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the fluid properties of liquid electrolytes (hydraulic principle) to effectively infiltrate and fill the nano-sized pores of intercalating cathodes. The liquid state allows the electrolyte to flow into and wet the cathode surface, reducing interfacial resistance while maintaining battery stability through controlled solidification during operation.
3Strength
If highly viscous molten polymers are used to form solid polymer electrolytes, then mechanical strength is improved, but infiltration into nano-sized cathode pores deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using liquid electrolytes instead of highly viscous molten polymers. The liquid state provides low viscosity for effective infiltration into nano-sized cathode pores, while the controlled solidification process during charging provides the necessary mechanical strength and structural stability, reversing the traditional solid-to-liquid progression.
4Stability of the object's composition
If PEO-based solid polymer electrolytes are used to achieve chemical inertness, then chemical stability is improved, but ionic conductivity and interface resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from solid polymer to liquid electrolyte, achieving >1 mS/cm ionic conductivity at room temperature. The liquid electrolyte composition (containing LiTFSI salt in cyclic carbonate solvents) provides both high ionic conductivity and chemical stability, resolving the contradiction between chemical inertness and ionic conductivity.
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 in-situ formed solid-state polymer electrolytes exhibit high room-temperature ionic conductivity (>1 mS/cm) and low interfacial resistances, achieving Li plating/striping efficiencies exceeding 98% after 300 charge-discharge cycles and enhancing the stability and reversibility of lithium metal batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The in-situ formation of solid-state polymer electrolytes through ring-opening polymerization of liquid ether-based electrolytes using aluminum triflate as an initiator
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are compositions including one or more cyclic ether(s), one or more salt(s), which may be one or more lithium salt(s), one or more sodium salt(s), or a combination thereof, and, optionally, one or more ring-opening polymerization initiator(s). The compositions may be used to form solid-state electrolytes. Also provided are methods for forming solid-state electrolytes using the compositions and devices comprising one or more composition(s) or one or more solid-state electrolyte(s) using the compositions.