Molecular Thin-Film Shells for Low-Resistance Fluoride Battery Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid type F-shuttle batteries face limitations due to the dissolution of metal materials used in electrodes, leading to slow charge and discharge rates caused by high ionic resistance in solid-state ionic conductor shells.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemically active structure comprising a core made of materials like copper with a shell of molecular species, such as self-assembled monolayers or polymers, that reduces ionic resistance and enhances charge/discharge efficiency by allowing higher current densities and improved material utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid-state ionic conductor shells are used to protect metal materials from dissolution, then material stability is improved, but ionic resistance increases causing slow charge and discharge rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite shell structure comprising multiple layers with different functional properties. The inner layer provides protection against metal dissolution, while the outer layer is designed with low ionic resistance to facilitate fast ion transport. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of material stability and high charge/discharge rates by combining materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell structure is designed with spatially varying properties: the inner portion near the metal core has high stability characteristics to prevent dissolution, while the outer portion has low ionic resistance to enable fast ion transport. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.
2Reliability
If thick shells are used to prevent metal dissolution, then protection efficiency is improved, but ionic resistance increases reducing charge/discharge efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite shell with an inner protective layer of optimized thickness for dissolution prevention, and an outer conductive layer for low-resistance ion transport. This allows the protective function to be achieved with minimal thickness in the critical inner layer, while the outer layer compensates for ion transport requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures that provide adequate protection with minimal thickness. The flexible thin film design allows for efficient ion transport pathways while maintaining sufficient barrier properties to prevent metal dissolution, thus achieving both protection efficiency and charge/discharge efficiency.
3Productivity
If metal materials are used in liquid type F-shuttle batteries, then electrochemical activity is improved, but dissolution into liquid electrolyte occurs limiting material usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shell structure as an intermediary between the metal material and the liquid electrolyte. This intermediate layer allows electrochemical reactions to proceed efficiently while preventing direct contact and dissolution of the metal into the electrolyte. The shell acts as a mediator that enables beneficial interaction while blocking harmful dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible thin film shells that conform to the metal material surface, providing comprehensive protection against dissolution while maintaining electrochemical activity. The thin film structure ensures adequate protection without creating excessive resistance to ion transport or electron transfer.
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 structure enables faster charge and discharge with higher capacity, utilizing at least 50% of the electrochemically active material, and accommodates volume changes during charging and discharging, while maintaining low ionic resistance and efficient fluoride-ion mobility.
Implementation Method 1
the shell comprises a shell material such as a thin film made from molecular species... reduces ionic resistance and enhances charge/discharge efficiency by allowing higher current densities and improved material utilization
Implementation Method 2
the core comprises an electrochemically active material... enables faster charge and discharge with higher capacity, utilizing at least 50% of the electrochemically active material
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemically active structure having a core and a shell at least partially surrounding the core. Also a method of making the electrochemically active structure as described herein as well as electrochemical cells comprising the electrochemically active structure as described herein.