Alkali-Metal Sulfonimide Eutectic Electrolytes for Stable Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-aqueous electrolytes used in electrochemical devices face issues such as leakage, volatility, flammability, and reduced durability due to organic solvents, and ionic liquids can deteriorate battery performance by reacting with anode materials.
Innovation Solution
A eutectic mixture of alkali-metal sulfonimide salts with specific compositional ratios, which provides a wide electrochemical window, high conductance, and excellent thermal and chemical stability, replacing conventional organic solvents and improving issues like evaporation and ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional non-aqueous electrolytes using organic solvents are used, then the electrolyte can be easily formulated and applied, but the device experiences leakage, volatility, flammability, and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing organic solvents with eutectic mixtures of alkali-metal sulfonimide salts, fundamentally altering the electrolyte's physical and chemical properties to eliminate flammability and volatility while maintaining ionic conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating eutectic mixtures combining different alkali-metal sulfonimide salts (e.g., lithium sulfonimide and sodium sulfonimide), which synergistically provide both stability and conductance properties that individual salts cannot achieve alone
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ionic liquids are used to replace organic solvents, then flammability is reduced, but the ionic liquids may be reduced at higher voltage than lithium ions or cations may be inserted into the anode, deteriorating battery performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrochemical parameters by selecting sulfonimide anions with high oxidation stability and appropriate cation combinations, ensuring the electrolyte remains stable at voltages higher than lithium reduction potential while preventing cation insertion into the anode
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses alkali-metal sulfonimide salts that are more chemically stable and less prone to decomposition compared to conventional ionic liquids, providing a more durable electrolyte solution
3Reliability
If eutectic mixtures of alkali-metal sulfonimide salts are used, then thermal and chemical stability is improved, but the viscosity and conductivity properties must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes physical parameters by adjusting the molar ratios of different alkali-metal sulfonimide salts in the eutectic mixture to achieve the desired balance between viscosity and ionic conductivity while maintaining thermal stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific alkali-metal combinations (e.g., lithium with sodium, or lithium with potassium) that provide localized optimization of properties such as low-temperature performance, high-voltage stability, or enhanced conductivity in specific 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 eutectic mixture enhances the robustness and functionality of electrochemical devices by offering improved stability and performance, reducing evaporation and ignition risks, and maintaining high conductance and electrochemical stability.
Implementation Method 1
a substantially eutectic mixture that includes a first salt, X1+Y1−, and a second salt, X2+Y2−, wherein each of X1+ and X2+ is an alkali metal cation
Implementation Method 2
excellent thermal and chemical stability, replacing conventional organic solvents and improving issues like evaporation and ignition
Data Source
AI summary
Binary and ternary eutectic mixtures and corresponding electrolytes are disclosed. In some embodiments, binary eutectic mixtures and electrolytes each include a first salt, X1+Y1−, and a second salt, X2+Y2−, wherein each of X1+ and X2+ is an alkali metal cation and X1+ is different from X2+; and each of Y1− and Y2− is a sulfonimide anion and Y1− is different from Y2−. In ternary eutectic mixtures and electrolytes further include a third salt, X3+Y3−, wherein X3+ is different from each of X1+ and X2+. In some embodiments, the eutectic mixtures and electrolytes have melting points in a range of about 5° C. to about 70° C. Electrochemical devices containing such eutectic-mixture electrolytes are also disclosed.