Sulfolane-Dialkyl Sulfone Solvent Mixture for Electrochemistry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sulfolane's high melting point and viscosity pose challenges in industrial applications, requiring special equipment and storage conditions, while existing additives like water are not suitable for all electrochemical techniques.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of sulfolane with dialkyl sulfones, such as dimethyl sulfone, lowers the melting point to below room temperature, maintaining chemical stability and reducing viscosity, while being non-toxic and cost-effective, enhancing solubility and conductivity for electrochemical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pure sulfolane is used as a solvent, then high chemical stability and low toxicity are achieved, but high melting point (28°C) and high viscosity pose operational challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a solvent mixture comprising sulfolane (20-80 wt%) combined with other solvents such as cyclic carbonates (10-50 wt%) and chain carbonates (10-50 wt%). This composite solvent system combines the high chemical stability and low toxicity of sulfolane with the lower melting points and viscosities of the co-solvents, achieving both reliability and ease of operation. The mixture maintains adequate chemical stability while becoming liquid at room temperature and having reduced viscosity for improved handling.
2Use of energy by moving object
If sulfolane is used without heating, then energy consumption is reduced, but it requires heating or storage above melting point which needs special equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical properties of the solvent system through composition adjustment. By formulating a mixture with appropriate ratios of sulfolane and co-solvents, the melting point is depressed below room temperature (20°C), allowing the solvent to remain liquid without heating. This eliminates the need for heated storage equipment and heating apparatus during operations, reducing both energy consumption and device complexity while maintaining the solvent's functional properties.
3Temperature
If existing additives like water are used to lower melting point, then melting point decreases, but they are not suitable for all electrochemical techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting co-solvents with specific properties tailored for electrochemical applications. Instead of using water which has poor compatibility with many electrochemical techniques, the invention employs cyclic carbonates (like ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate) and chain carbonates (like dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate). These co-solvents locally provide the necessary properties: they lower the melting point below room temperature while maintaining high dielectric constants and good electrochemical stability, making the solvent system adaptable to various electrochemical techniques including lithium battery electrolytes and supercapacitor applications.
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 sulfolane-dialkyl sulfone mixture is a liquid at room temperature, maintaining high boiling and flash points, with increased dielectric constant and lower viscosity, improving reaction rates and electrochemical performance, particularly in lithium batteries and supercapacitors.
Implementation Method 1
a mixture comprising sulfolane and at least one dialkyl sulfone, wherein the at least one dialkyl sulfone has the formula R—(SO2)—R′, where R and R′ can be the same as or different from one another and can be any C1-C6 alkyl group
Implementation Method 2
The sulfolane-dialkyl sulfone mixture is a liquid at room temperature, maintaining high boiling and flash points, with increased dielectric constant and lower viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
An improved solvent containing sulfolane and at least one dialkyl sulfone, preferably dimethyl sulfone, wherein the improved solvent is a liquid at room temperature and can be used for reaction media and electrochemistry.