Li-Exchanged Zeolite Particles for Electrolyte Impurity Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lithium ion batteries face degradation issues due to the formation of trace water, hydrogen ions, hydrofluoric acid, and other target compounds in the liquid electrolyte, which can lead to reduced battery life and cycle performance.

Innovation Solution

The development of functional lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles and electrode particles, which are prepared by combining a solution of (NH4)3PO4 with lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles and adding a polymeric binder and lithium salt to form a slurry. This slurry is then applied to a porous separator or current collector to create a coating layer or electrode layer, incorporating Li3PO4 within the zeolite cages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lithium ion batteries operate with liquid electrolyte, then electrochemical reactions can proceed, but trace water, hydrogen ions, hydrofluoric acid and other target compounds form and cause degradation of battery components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery life and cycle performanceVSAvoidtrace water, hydrogen ions, hydrofluoric acid formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces functional particles containing basic compounds (such as metal oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates) that can chemically react with and neutralize the harmful target compounds (trace water, hydrogen ions, hydrofluoric acid) formed during battery operation. These particles convert the harmful substances into harmless byproducts, thereby eliminating their detrimental effects on battery components while maintaining normal electrochemical function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The functional particles act as intermediary substances between the harmful target compounds and the battery components. They intercept and neutralize the harmful substances before they can reach and degrade the electrodes, electrolyte, or separator, thus protecting the battery system without interfering with the necessary electrochemical reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If functional particles are added to remove target compounds, then battery component degradation is prevented, but the particles must not inhibit lithium ion transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery component protectionVSAvoidlithium ion transport

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The functional particles are designed with specific local properties: their surface chemistry is optimized to selectively interact with target compounds while their physical structure (porosity, size, surface area) is engineered to allow lithium ion transport. This local differentiation enables simultaneous achievement of harmful substance removal and ion conduction without mutual interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The functional particles incorporate porous structures that provide channels and pathways for lithium ion transport while the pore walls contain the basic compounds that neutralize target compounds. The porosity ensures that lithium ions can diffuse through the particles without being blocked, while the internal surface area provides sufficient sites for harmful substance removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

These functional particles effectively remove trace water, hydrogen ions, hydrofluoric acid, and other target compounds from the liquid electrolyte, thereby preventing degradation of battery components and improving the life and cycle performance of lithium ion batteries.

Implementation Method 1

functional particles, which can remove these target compounds from the liquid electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

incorporating Li3PO4 within the zeolite cages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12214331B2Processes for preparing functional particles for use in electrochemical cells and electrochemical cells including said functional particles

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Methods of making functional particles, such as functional lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles and functional electrode particles for electrochemical cells are provided as well as electrochemical cells including such particles. A method includes combining a solution including (NH4)3PO4 with lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles to form a first mixture. The method further includes adding a polymeric binder and a lithium salt to the first mixture to form a first slurry including the functional lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles comprising Li3PO4.