Enhancing Electrolyte Performance in EV Batteries
47 patents in this list
Updated:
Electric vehicle batteries hinge on the performance of their electrolytes, which must conduct ions efficiently under diverse conditions. However, maintaining stability and conductivity as temperatures fluctuate and loads vary presents significant challenges. Electrolytes can degrade or form undesired structures, like lithium dendrites, which compromise battery safety and longevity.
Professionals in the field grapple with balancing conductivity and stability while preventing dendrite formation and ensuring thermal resilience. These issues are compounded by the need to optimize electrolyte composition without sacrificing performance under high-stress conditions.
This webpage explores a range of research-backed solutions, such as modified electrolyte compositions with additives like cyclophosphazene and lithium fluorophosphate. It also delves into innovative structures like hybrid solid-electrolyte interphase layers and porous ceramic scaffolds, all aimed at enhancing battery efficiency, safety, and lifespan.
1. Lithium-Ion Battery Module with Compartmentalized Cell Housing and Electrolyte Routing Lid
Clarios Advanced Solutions LLC, 2023
A lithium-ion battery module for electric vehicles that improves performance, reliability, and cost compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. The module has a housing with compartments for individual lithium-ion cell elements. A lid seals the compartments and routes electrolyte into them. This allows independent management of the cell elements for better temperature regulation and fault isolation. It also enables easier manufacturing and maintenance compared to integrally molded cells.
2. Lithium Ion Battery with Modified Electrolyte Containing Cyclophosphazene, Lithium Fluorophosphate, and Silane Additives
CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED, 2023
Lithium ion battery with improved high temperature cycling performance and safety. The battery uses a modified electrolyte containing specific additives. The additives include a cyclophosphazene compound, lithium fluorophosphate, and silane compounds. These additives absorb water, mitigate alkali reactions, and stabilize the electrolyte at high temperatures to prevent deterioration of high nickel-content positive electrode materials in lithium ion batteries.
3. Hybrid Artificial Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Layer with Crystalline Graphene and Polymer Matrix for Lithium Dendrite Inhibition
Lyten, Inc., 2021
Preventing Li dendrite growth in Li-ion and Li-S batteries to enable stable and long-lifetime batteries without internal short circuits and thermal runaway. The key is a hybrid artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) layer on the anode that contains a blended material with crystalline graphene domains and flexible wrinkle areas. This blended material inhibits Li dendrite growth between the anode and cathode. The A-SEI layer also has a polymer matrix to bind the components. The blended material includes curable carboxylate salts to crosslink during charge/discharge cycles. The flexible wrinkle areas contract during polymerization to reduce A-SEI volume changes. This prevents Li dendrites and internal shorts. The porous cathode expands for PS shuttle mitigation.
4. Lithium-Ion Battery with Lithium Titanate Anode and Phosphate-Based Electrolyte Additive
LG Chem, Ltd., 2020
Lithium-ion battery with improved safety and cycle life when using lithium titanate (LTO) anode and a phosphate-based compound as an electrolyte additive. The phosphate compound reduces gas generation during charging and discharging compared to conventional electrolytes, especially when using LTO anode. This improves safety by reducing swelling and explosion risks. The phosphate additive concentration should be optimized to balance safety and performance.
5. High-Temperature Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Compositions with Organosilicon Solvents and Imide Salts
Silatronix, Inc., 2020
High temperature electrolyte compositions for lithium-ion batteries that enable safe operation at temperatures above 70°C and potentially above 250°C. The compositions contain organosilicon compounds like bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (F1S3MN) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide lithium salt (LiTFSI) as the imide, along with organosilicon compounds as solvents. This combination provides improved thermal stability compared to traditional carbonate-based electrolytes. The OS compounds like F1S3MN are non-flammable, high temperature resistant materials that make them suitable as electrolyte solvents for batteries.
6. Lithium Cell Electrolyte Separator with Wettable Fibers and Gel Matrix for Dendrite Resistance and High-Temperature Stability
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, 2020
Lithium cell with improved electrolyte separator to prevent issues like dendrite growth, swelling, and shorting in high-temperature applications. The separator is a gel containing wettable fibers with high surface tension. The fibers are wettable by the lithium ion conducting salt solution and have a surface tension of at least 30 mN/m. This prevents penetration by lithium dendrites and provides mechanical stability at high temperatures. The gel can also contain a nonaqueous, polar lithium ion conducting salt solution. The wettable fibers allow good wetting of the gel by the electrolyte and prevent dry spots. The improved separator enables better performance and safety of the lithium cell, especially in high-temperature environments.
7. Porous Ceramic Scaffold for Solid Electrolyte in Lithium-Ion Batteries with Microscale Architecture
FISKER INC., 2020
Microscopically ordered solid electrolyte architectures for solid-state and hybrid lithium-ion batteries that enable high energy density, fast charging, and improved safety over traditional lithium-ion batteries. The architecture consists of a porous scaffold made of a lithium-conducting ceramic that can be infiltrated with cathode or anode active materials. The porous scaffold prevents short circuiting and allows high capacity loading. The ceramic scaffold is made by casting, freeze casting, and sintering nanoparticle slurries. The architecture enables energy densities over 300 Wh/kg and can have features as small as 25 microns for facile removal of carbon during sintering.
8. Multi-Core Lithium-Ion Battery with Direct Electrode Tab Welding and Integrated Support Structure
Cadenza Innovation, Inc., 2020
Multi-core lithium-ion battery design with improved safety, reduced manufacturing costs, and higher energy density compared to traditional large-format cells. The battery uses multiple small-format cells connected in parallel or series instead of a single large cell. Each cell has bare electrode tabs directly welded to bus bars instead of separate tabs and liners. This eliminates internal short paths and reduces void space compared to tabbed cells. The battery also uses a sealed enclosure with a support member containing the cells, cavities, liners, and electrolyte. The support member can have features like kinetic energy absorption, flame retardant electrolyte, and electrical balancing to further improve safety. The multi-core design allows higher energy density and reduces manufacturing costs compared to large cells, while the direct tab welding improves safety by reducing internal shorts and voids.
9. Electrochemical Energy Storage Device with Nanofluid Suspension and Integrated Heat Exchange System
Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, 2019
A safe and scalable electrochemical energy storage device that uses nanofluids or particle suspensions to improve safety and performance compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The device has a suspended nanofluid or particle suspension between the electrodes instead of a liquid electrolyte. The suspension circulates through a heat exchanger to dissipate heat. This eliminates the flammable electrolyte and reduces the risk of thermal runaway. The nanoparticles in the suspension can enhance energy density and cycle life.
10. Lithium-Ion Battery with Offset Wound Electrode Geometry and Asymmetric Volume Configuration
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, 2019
A lithium-ion battery design with improved performance for electric vehicles. The battery has a unique winding geometry and cell arrangement to mitigate overcharging issues, reduce resistance increase, and suppress capacity fade. The battery has a wound electrode body inside a case with larger volume on the negative side. This reduces heat buildup during overcharging. The wound bodies are offset when stacked in packs to prevent ejection of electrolyte during expansion/contraction. This prevents dry spots and resistance increases.
11. Lithium-Ion Battery with Phosphate-Enhanced Electrolyte for Lithium Titanium Oxide Anode
LG Chem, Ltd., 2018
A lithium-ion battery with improved safety and cycle life when using lithium titanium oxide (LTO) as the anode active material. The battery contains a phosphate-based compound added to the electrolyte. The phosphate compound helps reduce gas generation during charging and discharging of the LTO anode, which improves battery safety. It also improves cycle life compared to batteries without the phosphate compound.
12. Positive Electrode Plate with C-C Double Bond Sultone Additive for Enhanced Thermal Stability and Interface Resistance Reduction
CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED, 2018
Positive electrode plate and energy storage device design with improved high temperature storage, low temperature performance, and thermal stability. The positive electrode plate contains a C-C double bond containing sultone additive that forms a passivation film on the electrode surface to prevent oxidation and electrolyte decomposition. This improves interface stability and reduces direct current internal resistance. The sultone additive also avoids forming a SEI membrane on the negative electrode, avoiding resistance increases. The sultone volatilizes during drying at high temperatures. The positive electrode slurry has low binder and conductive agent content to maximize active material loading.
13. Electrolyte Compositions with Organosilicon and Imide Compounds for High-Temperature Li-Ion Batteries
Silatronix, Inc., 2018
Electrolyte compositions for Li-ion batteries that provide improved thermal stability and safety compared to conventional carbonate-based electrolytes. The electrolytes contain organosilicon (OS) compounds and imide-containing compounds, like salts. These OS-imide electrolytes can operate at temperatures above 70°C, even above 250°C, which is much higher than carbonate electrolytes. The OS compounds are non-flammable, high temperature-resistant materials that make them suitable as electrolyte solvents, binders, and coatings in energy storage devices. The OS-based electrolytes improve battery performance, reduce failure rates, and provide enhanced safety by reducing flammability and eliminating extreme cell failure events compared to carbonate electrolytes.
14. Lithium Ion Battery with Cyclophosphazene, Lithium Fluorophosphate, and Silane Electrolyte Composition
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited, 2018
Lithium ion battery with improved cycle life and safety at high temperatures. The battery uses a specific electrolyte composition containing cyclophosphazene, lithium fluorophosphate, and silane compounds. The cyclophosphazene absorbs water to prevent side reactions. The lithium fluorophosphate mitigates electrolyte degradation. The silane compounds stabilize the positive electrode material.
15. Electrolyte Composition with Organosilicon and Imide Compounds for High-Temperature Li-ion Batteries
Silatronix, Inc., 2017
Electrolyte compositions for Li-ion batteries with improved thermostability and safety compared to conventional carbonate-based electrolytes. The electrolyte contains organosilicon compounds and imide-containing compounds. The organosilicon compounds are environmentally friendly, non-flammable, high temperature-resistant materials that can operate above 70°C, 100°C, or even 250°C. The imide-containing compounds, like lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), stabilize the organosilicon compounds. This allows Li-ion batteries to operate at higher temperatures for better performance and safety compared to carbonate-based electrolytes.
16. Power Storage Device with Polyphenylene Sulfide Separator and Graphene-Enhanced Electrolyte
SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD., 2017
Power storage device with improved heat resistance and cycling stability, especially for high-temperature applications. The device uses a separator containing polyphenylene sulfide, an electrolyte with a specific solute composition, and components like graphene that can withstand high temperatures. The separator material inhibits electrolyte decomposition at high temperatures. The solute contains LiFSA or LiTFSA and solvents like PC and EC. The graphene improves conductivity and flexibility. This allows the device to operate at elevated temperatures without degradation.
17. Electrolyte Compositions with Organosilicon and Imide Compounds for Enhanced Thermal Stability in Lithium-Ion Batteries
SILATRONIX, INC., 2016
Electrolyte compositions for lithium-ion batteries with improved thermal stability to enable operating temperatures above 70°C. The electrolyte compositions contain organosilicon compounds and imide-containing compounds like imide salts. The organosilicon solvents are environmentally friendly, non-flammable, and high-temperature resistant. The imide compounds enhance the thermal stability of the organosilicon solvents. The resulting electrolyte compositions can operate at temperatures above 70°C, 100°C, 150°C, or even 250°C. This allows higher operating temperatures for lithium-ion batteries beyond the limitations of conventional carbonate-based electrolytes.
18. Battery Electrolyte with High Aspect Ratio Flat Particles for Endothermic Dehydration
Sony Corporation, 2016
Battery with improved safety and performance by using flat shaped particles with high aspect ratio that can undergo endothermic dehydration reactions. The particles are added to the battery electrolyte between the electrodes. When the battery heats up, the particles absorb energy by dehydrating without generating gas or decomposing. This prevents internal shorts and thermal runaway. The particles have aspect ratios of 2:1 or higher, where the length is 2 times the width.
19. Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery with Salt-Enhanced Solvent Vibrational Spectroscopy Peaks
THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, 2016
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with improved cycling performance and reduced corrosion of aluminum current collectors in high-voltage environments. The battery uses an electrolyte solution containing a salt with a cation like lithium, fluorine, or aluminum, and an organic solvent with a heteroelement like carbon, sulfur, or fluorine. The electrolyte composition satisfies a condition where the intensity of peaks in vibrational spectroscopy due to the solvent is greater than the intensity of peaks due to the solvent without the salt. This electrolyte formulation improves cycling stability, reduces corrosion of aluminum electrodes, and has high viscosity for better liquid retention at the electrode interface.
20. Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Solution Comprising Amide Compound and Cyclic Sulfate for Lithium-Ion Batteries
LG Chem, Ltd., 2016
Non-aqueous electrolyte solution for lithium-ion batteries with improved stability and performance at both room and elevated temperatures. The electrolyte contains a specific amide compound, lithium salt, cyclic sulfate, and organic solvent. The amide compound forms a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on the anode, and the cyclic sulfate further enhances SEI stability. The amide compound and cyclic sulfate ratio is optimized for ionic conductivity.
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