This technology is a nonflammable electrolyte for potassium-ion batteries, enabling safe and stable charge cycling without producing corrosive hydrofluoric acid during use.
While lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the dominant energy storage technology, their reliance on toxic, expensive, and dwindling materials poses long-term sustainability challenges. Further, they are prone to safety risks, as their flammable properties can lead to fires or explosions under certain conditions. These challenges have driven the search for more sustainable, cost-effective, and safe alternative battery chemistries. Sodium-ion batteries have been explored, but concerns over longevity and energy density have limited their adoption. Potassium-ion batteries offer a promising alternative due to their lower cost; however, low-concentration (~1 M) potassium electrolytes are incompatible with graphite anodes, restricting their flame-retardant properties in practical applications.
The technology is a potassium-ion battery design comprising a nonflammable electrolyte solvent with high ionic conductivity. This design utilizes a low-concentration (1 M) KPF6 electrolyte paired with a mixture of affordable, mass-produced solvents with low volatility compared to conventional electrolyte materials that require high electrolyte concentrations. This formulation enables stable cycling with graphite anodes, enabling integration with existing potassium-ion battery designs. The electrolyte retains high ionic conductivity and is inherently nonflammable, addressing safety concerns associated with conventional battery chemistries (such as the production of corrosive hydrofluoric acid) and providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Patent Pending
IR CU25001
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu