Zwitterionic Gel Electrolyte Composite for Stable Ion Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gel electrolyte composites in the electrochemical industry face issues such as poor mechanical integrity, low room-temperature ionic conductivity, and flammability, limiting their effectiveness in applications like batteries and supercapacitors.
Innovation Solution
A gel electrolyte composite is developed using a nonvolatile electrolyte, either a non-lithium-containing, lithium-containing, or sodium-containing ionic liquid, combined with a zwitterionic polymer scaffold formed from zwitterionic and non-zwitterionic monomers, which provides enhanced mechanical stability and ionic conductivity through a three-dimensional polymer network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional nanoparticle-based scaffold or physically/chemically-crosslinked polymer network is used in gel electrolyte, then mechanical support is provided, but mechanical integrity is poor and flammability risk is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite material system consisting of a zwitterionic polymer scaffold combined with ionic liquid electrolyte. The zwitterionic polymer provides mechanical support through its unique dipole-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonding network, while the ionic liquid component provides non-flammable electrolyte functionality. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using zwitterionic monomers with specific functional groups (sulfonate, carboxylate, phosphate, phosphonate, or phosphinate) that create strong intermolecular interactions. This parameter change in molecular structure leads to improved mechanical integrity while maintaining thermal stability and reducing flammability compared to traditional polymer electrolytes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional physically or chemically crosslinked polymer network is used, then structural stability is achieved, but room-temperature ionic conductivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition by incorporating ionic liquid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity into the zwitterionic polymer scaffold. The ionic liquid component provides mobile ions for conduction while the zwitterionic polymer network maintains structural stability. This parameter change in electrolyte composition resolves the contradiction between structural stability and ionic conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The zwitterionic polymer scaffold acts as an intermediary structure that supports the ionic liquid electrolyte. The scaffold provides mechanical stability while allowing the ionic liquid to maintain its high ionic conductivity through its liquid phase. This intermediary structure enables both structural stability and reliable ionic conduction to coexist.
3Strength
If high polymer content is used to improve mechanical integrity, then structural strength increases, but ionic conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using zwitterionic polymers with specific functional groups that create strong intermolecular interactions, allowing for lower polymer content while maintaining mechanical integrity. Simultaneously, the ionic liquid electrolyte composition is optimized to ensure high ionic conductivity. This dual parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling lower polymer content with maintained strength and higher ionic conductivity.
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 composite exhibits improved mechanical integrity, tunable ionic conductivity, and increased thermal stability, making it suitable for various electrochemical energy storage devices like lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors, while minimizing flammability risks.
Implementation Method 1
the zwitterionic polymer scaffold is formed from one or more zwitterionic monomers only or both one or more zwitterionic monomers and one or more non-zwitterionic monomers
Implementation Method 2
The nonvolatile electrolyte is a non-lithium-containing ionic liquid, a lithium-containing ionic liquid, or a sodium-containing ionic liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A gel electrolyte composite containing a nonvolatile electrolyte and a zwitterionic polymer scaffold in which the non-volatile electrolyte is a non-lithium-containing ionic liquid, a sodium-containing ionic liquid, or a lithium-containing ionic liquid and the zwitterionic polymer scaffold is formed from one or more zwitterionic monomers only or both one or more zwitterionic monomers and one or more non-zwitterionic monomers. The zwitterionic polymer scaffold contains 8 mol % or higher of zwitterions relative to the total content of the gel electrolyte composite when the nonvolatile electrolyte is a non-lithium-containing ionic liquid, and contains 1 mol % or higher of zwitterions relative to the total content of the gel electrolyte composite when the nonvolatile electrolyte is a sodium-containing ionic liquid or a lithium-containing ionic liquid. Also disclosed are a method of preparing the above-described gel electrolyte composite and an electrochemical energy storage device containing same.