Lithium Ion Batteries (LIBs) have become ubiquitous in our daily lives. New battery designs and technologies continue to evolve to meet the ever-increasing needs for mobile energy storage, continuing to provide higher energy densities and improve safety. Likewise, for applications where weight and size are the most critical factors, Lithium Polymer Batteries (LiPo) have emerged as higher energy density alternatives to traditional LIBs. For this reason, LiPos are used in applications such as unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and miniaturized consumer electronics devices, where the need for prolonged power in between charging must be balanced with a drive for lighter weight energy storage solutions. While both technologies rely upon the movement of lithium ions to drive electric work, LiPo batteries differ from LIBs in their use of Gel Polymer Electrolytes (GPEs) in lieu of typical organic liquid electrolytes. In addition, by limiting the use of hydrocarbon-based electrolyte components, LiPo batteries can be designed to minimize the flammability characteristics of batteries.
Halocarbon’s fluorinated materials work by improving the performance of Gel Polymer Electrolytes
The fluorinated materials designed and manufactured by Halocarbon Electronics Solutions can be used in LiPo batteries to provide the same improvements in performance and safety as they do when used in high energy density LIBs. Halocarbon’s lithium ion battery chemicals have provided the following benefits in LiPo batteries:
- Enhanced ionic conductivity for more efficient charge/discharge cycling
- Prolonged battery life by minimizing deleterious reactions on electrode surfaces; especially at higher voltages (>4.2 V)
- Improved safety through reduction in flammability
- Increased surface wettability of critical cell features to allow higher electrolyte uptake into the polymer electrolyte system
In LiPos and other semi-solid batteries, the GPE forms a polymeric matrix in between the cathode, which can include Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO), Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC), other lithium metal oxides etc. and an anode, that is typically comprised of lithium metal. The electrochemical properties of a LiPo are conferred by the solvent used in the GPE formulation, while its mechanical and safety characteristics are more dependent upon the type of polymer used in the GPE. While the ionic conductivity in GPE systems is closer to that of the liquid electrolytes used in traditional LIBs, there still exists room for improvement.
The use of Halocarbon electrolyte additives has demonstrated significant enhancements in the ionic conductivities of lithium ions through the GPE matrix of LiPos and other semi-solid batteries, leading to improvements to charge/discharge rates. These fluorinated additives can also provide benefit by increasing the overall thermodynamic stability of the LiPo system, especially at higher voltage ranges (>4.2 V).
Halocarbon’s fluorinated electrolyte additives have been designed to be compatible with GPE and protect critical cell features within LiPos by imparting higher voltage stability to these polymeric systems. They work by minimizing and mitigating the deleterious decomposition reactions of the electrolyte components at the surfaces of the electrodes. This decrease in electrolyte degradation, conferred by the inclusion of Halocarbon’s additives into GPE formulations, has been shown to provide significant improvements to cycle life and overall battery lifetime.
Halocarbon leverages its 70-year focus on industrial fluorochemistry to unlock commercially-relevant improvements in conductivity and cycle life for LiPo Batteries
Halocarbon Electronics Solutions has designed novel fluorinated ethers, esters, and carbonates that create unique advantages in GPE technology. The fluorinated materials, manufactured by Halocarbon; lower the viscosity of the electrolyte, and improve surface wettability characteristics. Taken together, these properties significantly improve the ionic conductivity and charge/discharge properties of the GPE. In addition, the Halocarbon fluorinated ethers are completely non-flammable and further enhance the critical safety characteristics of LiPos.
When potentials above 4.2V are employed with GPEs, adverse reactions on the surface of the electrodes occur more frequently due to the instability of non-fluorinated electrolyte formulations. The use of the fluorinated ethers, esters and linear carbonates, which are engineered to have higher anodic stability at these voltage ranges, can mitigate adverse reactions on the electrode surface, offering game changing benefits of higher working voltages. This results in significant improvements in energy density.
Contact Halocarbon Electronics Solutions
Halocarbon Electronics Solutions is committed to being a commercial-scale supplier of a wide range of ready-to-formulate additives for use in high energy density batteries. The use of our fluorinated solutions enables safer, lighter, smaller, and longer-lasting batteries. Interested in sampling our products or looking to learn more? Please contact our Sales Director for more information on our fluorinated products which can help you create the breakthroughs you are seeking.
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