Ternary electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid polymer electrolytes face challenges with low ionic conductivity at room temperature, complex and expensive manufacturing processes, and the use of toxic chemicals, which complicates their production and poses environmental and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A ternary electrolyte composed of 30-60% polymer, 5-15% alkali metal salt, 35-50% ionic liquid, and 2.5-10% inorganic filler, using commercially available components like PEO, PVDF, LiTFSI, Pyr1R TFSI, and sepiolite modified with tocopherol, allowing for flexible and high ionic conductivity without toxic solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid plasticizers or organic solvents are added to improve ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity increases, but toxicity and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic liquid plasticizers and organic solvents with ionic liquids, which are non-flammable and have negligible vapor pressure. This converts a harmful system (toxic solvents) into a beneficial one (safe ionic liquids) while maintaining or improving ionic conductivity. The ionic liquids serve as both the plasticizing agent and the conductive medium, eliminating the need for separate toxic components.
2Reliability
If specific chemicals are synthesized to achieve desired properties, then performance improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses commercially available ionic liquids that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as plasticizers to maintain polymer flexibility, as electrolyte solvents to dissolve lithium salts, and as conductive media for ion transport. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized synthesis of specific chemicals, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining excellent electrolyte performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs commercially available ionic liquids and standard polymers that can be procured off-the-shelf, avoiding the need for expensive and complex custom synthesis. This approach uses readily available, cost-effective materials to achieve the desired electrolyte properties, making the manufacturing process more accessible and economically viable.
3Reliability
If liquid components are used to achieve high ionic conductivity, then conductivity improves, but mechanical flexibility and handling difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique properties of ionic liquids that allow them to remain liquid at room temperature while being non-flammable and having negligible vapor pressure. By incorporating ionic liquids into the polymer matrix, the electrolyte maintains the mechanical flexibility and handling ease of solid polymers while achieving the high ionic conductivity typically associated with liquid electrolytes. The ionic liquid phase provides ion conductivity without sacrificing the solid-like mechanical properties needed for easy handling.
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 electrolyte achieves ionic conductivity of at least 2*10^-4 S/cm at room temperature, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, and eliminating the use of toxic chemicals, thus enhancing safety and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
the presence of such a weight of an inorganic filler makes it possible to obtain a solid ternary electrolyte which is flexible... demonstrates an ionic conductivity of between 10^-5 and 10^-3 S/cm
Implementation Method 2
The ternary electrolyte further comprises between 2.5 and 10% by weight of an inorganic filler... the presence of such a weight of an inorganic filler makes it possible to obtain a solid ternary electrolyte which is flexible
Implementation Method 3
Dissolving a lithium salt (or an alkali metal salt) in the polymer host leads to the formation of the solid solution and modifies the interaction of the salt with its host
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A ternary electrolyte comprising between 30 and 60% by weight of a first polyethylene oxide (PEO) and/or a second PEO and optionally polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), relative to the total weight of the ternary electrolyte, mel1, with PVDF present at least when the ternary electrolyte does not comprise the first PEO, said first PEO having a first molecular weight Mw1 of between 0.75 * 106 and 10 * 106 g/mol, said second PEO having a second molecular weight Mw2 of between 0.2 * 106 and 0.7 * 106 g/mol, and said PVDF having a third molecular weight Mw3 of between 0.1 * 106 and 1 * 106 g/mol; between 5 and 15% by weight of an alkali metal salt and between 35 and 50% by weight of an ionic liquid, relative to mel1; and between 2.5 and 10% by weight of an inorganic filler relative to the total weight of the other components in the ternary electrolyte, mel2.