TMHCM-Conductive Polymer Composite Electrodes for Alkali-Ion Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries face challenges due to the larger size of Na+ and K+ ions, which distort the structures of lithium-ion host materials during intercalation, necessitating the development of new host materials with large interstitial spaces for efficient ion migration, and existing conductive polymers face challenges in wide-scale integration due to cost, solubility, and processability issues.

Innovation Solution

Integration of transition metal hexacyanometallate (TMHCM) materials with conductive polymers, such as polyaniline (PANI) or polypyrrole (Ppy), to form composite electrodes that enhance the performance of alkali and alkaline earth batteries by facilitating better ion migration and conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If transition metal hexacyanometallate materials are used as host materials for sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries, then ion migration is facilitated due to large interstitial spaces, but structural distortion occurs during intercalation of larger Na+ and K+ ions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion migrationVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines transition metal hexacyanometallate (TMHCM) materials with conductive polymers to form composite electrode materials. The TMHCM provides large interstitial spaces for ion migration, while the conductive polymer matrix provides structural stability and prevents distortion during ion intercalation, resolving the contradiction between ion migration ease and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the host material by integrating TMHCM with conductive polymers, changing the composite's overall structural properties to accommodate larger Na+ and K+ ions without distortion, while maintaining adequate interstitial spaces for ion migration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conductive polymers are integrated with TMHCM to form composite electrodes, then battery performance and conductivity are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges TMHCM materials with conductive polymers into a single composite electrode structure, combining the benefits of ion migration facilitation from TMHCM and conductivity enhancement from conductive polymers, while integrating manufacturing processes to manage complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive polymer matrix serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural stability, enhancing electrical conductivity, facilitating ion migration pathways, and simplifying the overall electrode manufacturing process, thereby improving battery performance without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conductive polymers like polyaniline or polypyrrole are used to improve conductivity, then discharge capacity retention is enhanced, but solubility and processability issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge capacity retentionVSAvoidprocessability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies conductive polymers locally within the composite electrode structure, where they specifically enhance discharge capacity retention at critical interfaces and conduction pathways, while the overall composite structure maintains processability through controlled distribution of the polymer phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 TMHCM-CP composite electrodes demonstrate improved discharge capacity retention and coulombic efficiency, particularly at higher current densities, indicating enhanced battery performance and practicality for sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium battery applications.

Implementation Method 1

conductive polymer (CP) composite battery electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

facilitating better ion migration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Intercalation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9083041B2Transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer composite

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 SHARP KK

AI summary

A transition metal hexacyanometallate (TMHCM)-conductive polymer (CP) composite electrode is provided. The battery electrode is made up of a current collector and a transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer composite overlying the current collector. The transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer includes a AXM1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O material, where A may be alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, ammonium ions, or combinations thereof, and M1 and M2 are transition metal ions. The transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer composite also includes a conductive polymer material. In one aspect, the conductive polymer material is polyaniline (PANI) or polypyrrole (Ppy). Also presented herein are methods for the fabrication of a TMHCM-CP composite.