Lithium sulfide and solid electrolyte comprising same
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- POSCO HLDG INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Conventional methods for synthesizing lithium sulfide suffer from insufficient purification due to sulfur loss during solvent extraction, leading to impurities like Li2CO3, Li2SO4, and LiOH, which reduce ion conductivity in sulfide-based solid electrolytes.
A method involving heat-treatment of lithium and carbon raw materials, followed by solvent extraction with a controlled S/Li molar ratio and specific solvent selection, and subsequent heat-treatment to control TPD-MS peak areas, minimizing impurity formation and maximizing purity.
The method produces high-purity lithium sulfide with controlled TPD-MS peak areas, ensuring optimal ion conductivity and reducing impurities, thereby enhancing the performance of sulfide-based solid electrolytes.
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Figure KR2025021742_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Lithium sulfide and solid electrolyte containing the same
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0191871, and the contents of the said priority application specification are incorporated into this specification.
[0002] This relates to lithium sulfide and solid electrolytes containing it.
[0003] Secondary batteries are widely used in everything from small electronic devices such as mobile phones or laptops to large devices such as electric vehicles (EVs) or energy storage systems (ESS). As the application fields of secondary batteries expand to all areas of daily life, there is a growing demand for not only performance such as high energy density and long lifespan, but also stability.
[0004] Conventionally, most electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries were liquid electrolytes utilizing organic solvents. However, due to risks such as leakage or fire associated with these liquid electrolytes, strict packaging was required; consequently, there were limitations in increasing energy density beyond a certain level due to this strict packaging. Consequently, the need for all-solid-state batteries utilizing inorganic solid electrolytes instead of organic liquid electrolytes has emerged.
[0005] The above-mentioned all-solid-state battery allows for the safe fabrication of battery cells by excluding organic solvents such as liquid electrolytes. Furthermore, since inorganic solid electrolytes maintain stability without decomposing over a wide voltage range, they offer the advantage of enabling the use of high-voltage electrode materials.
[0006] The above solid electrolytes are classified into oxide-based and sulfide-based types, and the sulfide-based solid electrolytes have the characteristic of high ionic conductivity compared to the oxide-based solid electrolytes. The main raw material for the sulfide-based solid electrolytes is lithium sulfide (Li2S). Various methods are utilized for the synthesis of lithium sulfide, such as synthesis methods using a high-energy ball mill, synthesis methods using a wet plasma process, and wet / dry methods using lithium metal.
[0007] Specifically, solvent extraction is used to increase the purity of even low-purity lithium sulfide. However, there is a problem in that the purification effect is insufficient due to the loss of sulfur during the drying process after solvent extraction.
[0008] Terms such as first, second, and third are used to describe various parts, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, but are not limited thereto. These terms are used solely to distinguish one part, component, region, layer, or section from another part, component, region, layer, or section. Accordingly, the first part, component, region, layer, or section described below may be referred to as the second part, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0009] The technical terms used herein are for the reference of specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular forms used herein include plural forms unless phrases clearly indicate otherwise. As used in the specification, the meaning of “comprising” specifies certain characteristics, areas, integers, steps, actions, elements, and / or components, and does not exclude the presence or addition of other characteristics, areas, integers, steps, actions, elements, and / or components.
[0010] When it is stated that one part is "above" or "on" another part, it may be directly above or on the other part, or other parts may be involved in between. In contrast, when it is stated that one part is "directly above" another part, no other parts are interposed in between.
[0011] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are further interpreted to have meanings consistent with relevant technical literature and the present disclosure, and are not interpreted in an ideal or highly formal sense unless otherwise defined. Additionally, unless specifically noted, % means weight %, and 1 ppm is 0.0001 weight %.
[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
[0013] Lithium sulfide can be manufactured by various methods, but in one embodiment of the present invention, it can be manufactured by a method of heat-treating a lithium raw material together with carbon. This technology is called Carbothermal technology.
[0014] In this case, the lithium raw material may be a raw material containing the lithium and sulfur components required for lithium sulfide.
[0015] When lithium sulfide is manufactured through this reaction, a purification process is required to remove residual carbon components and impurities.
[0016] Generally, a solvent extraction method is used, but in one embodiment of the present invention, the effect of removing impurities can be improved by applying an optimal solvent.
[0017] In addition, we propose a new method to replenish sulfur components lost due to the reaction during solvent extraction and to undergo a purification process.
[0018] Lithium sulfide obtained by this method may have the following characteristics.
[0019] In TPD-MS analysis, it can have a peak area of 500,000,000 AU or less in the temperature range of 700 - 800 ℃, a peak area of 66,000,000 AU or less in the temperature range of 800 - 1,000 ℃, and a peak area of 35,000,000 AU or less in the temperature range of 400 - 600 ℃.
[0020]
[0021] At this time, the measurement and interpretation methods of TPD-MS will be described in detail in the experimental examples described later.
[0022] While it is necessary to verify through various analyses whether the interpretation of such TPD-MS chemically corresponds accurately to each component, the inventors intend to rapidly confirm the characteristics of purified lithium sulfide through simple TPD-MS analysis.
[0023] Through this review, we aim to secure lithium sulfide with an optimal range of TPD-MS peak area to resolve potential issues that may arise when applied as a battery material in advance.
[0024] In the above TPD-MS peaks, the inventors' interpretation is that the peak in the 700-800°C range appears to be a Li2CO3 peak. The peak in the 800-1,000°C range appears to be a Li2SO4 peak. The peak in the 400-600°C range appears to be a LiOH peak. Each of these components can cause the following problems when lithium sulfide is used as a battery material (in particular, a sulfide-based solid electrolyte).
[0025] If lithium sulfate (Li2SO4) and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) do not meet the appropriate range, impurities such as lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) may be generated during the synthesis of azirodite, which can lead to a problem of reduced ion conductivity.
[0026] In the case of lithium hydroxide (LiOH), if the appropriate range is not satisfied, impurities such as lithium chloride (LiCl) and lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) may be generated during the synthesis of azirodite, which can lead to a problem of reduced ion conductivity.
[0027] By appropriately controlling the TPD-MS peaks mentioned above, the composition of the final impurities can be controlled within an optimal range through the heat treatment step following the purification stage. It is crucial to ensure that the mechanisms of impurity thermal decomposition or reduction through heat treatment function effectively, while simultaneously securing the yield of lithium sulfide.
[0028] More specifically, it can have a peak area of 350,000,000 AU or less in a temperature range of 700 - 800 ℃. More specifically, it can have a peak area in the range of 200,000,000 - 350,000,000 AU in a temperature range of 700 - 800 ℃. If the above range is satisfied, the decrease in ion conductivity can be prevented by appropriately controlling impurities such as lithium chloride and lithium phosphate.
[0029] It can have a peak area in the range of 30,000,000 to 66,000,000 AU in a temperature range of 800 to 1,000 ℃. More specifically, it can have a peak area in the range of 30,000,000 to 35,000,000 AU in a temperature range of 800 to 1,000 ℃. If the above range is satisfied, the decrease in ion conductivity can be prevented by appropriately controlling impurities such as lithium chloride and lithium phosphate.
[0030] It can have a peak area of 20,000,000 AU or less in a temperature range of 400 - 600 ℃. More specifically, it can have a peak area in the range of 1,000,000 - 20,000,000 AU in a temperature range of 400 - 600 ℃. Even more specifically, it can have a peak area in the range of 1,000,000 - 3,000,000 AU in a temperature range of 400 - 600 ℃. If the above ranges are satisfied, the decrease in ion conductivity can be prevented by appropriately controlling impurities such as lithium chloride and lithium phosphate.
[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing lithium sulfide is provided, comprising the steps of: mixing a carbon raw material and a lithium compound and heat-treating them to obtain a pyrolysis product; purifying the thermal reduction product by a solvent extraction method; and heat-treating the purified product; wherein, in the step of purifying the thermal reduction product by a solvent extraction method, an additional sulfur raw material is added to the thermal reduction product before solvent extraction, and then purified by solvent extraction.
[0032] As mentioned above, this is a method to replenish sulfur that is or may be lost during the purification step and the preceding pyrolysis reaction. If sulfur is insufficient, the yield of the final target material, lithium sulfide, may be reduced, and lithium may be converted into other forms, potentially causing issues with purity.
[0033] The above additional sulfur raw material may be solid sulfur (S).
[0034] The amount of the additional sulfur raw material added can be controlled according to the S / Li molar ratio in the total thermal reduction product. Specifically, the S / Li molar ratio of the thermal reduction product can be determined through ICP-OES analysis, and solid sulfur can be added to match the range of S / Li = 0.45 to 0.55. More specifically, it can be S / Li = 0.48 to 0.53.
[0035] By doing this, the amount of sulfur already lost in the thermal reduction reaction and the amount that may be additionally lost in the subsequent drying / heat treatment process can be replenished. Adding a larger amount of sulfur may instead result in problems such as reduced product quality due to the presence of Li2SO4 or residual carbon in the final product.
[0036] In one embodiment, the carbon raw material may include at least one of soft carbon, hard carbon, petroleum coke, coal needle coke, coal pitch coke, natural graphite, carbon black, sugars, and artificial graphite, as non-limiting examples. In one embodiment, the lithium-carbon compound may include at least one of lithium sulfate, lithium hydroxide, lithium oxide, and lithium carbonate.
[0037] In one embodiment, in the step of mixing a carbon raw material and a lithium compound and heat-treating them to obtain a thermal reduction product, the weight ratio of the lithium compound to the carbon raw material may be 0.25 to 0.5. Specifically, the ratio may be 0.30 to 0.35.
[0038] If the above ratio exceeds the upper limit, there is a problem with unreacted lithium compound raw materials, specifically lithium sulfate, remaining after heat treatment. If the above ratio exceeds the lower limit, the amount of carbon raw material used is large, resulting in a disadvantage in terms of process cost.
[0039] In one embodiment, the step of mixing a carbon raw material and a lithium compound and heat-treating them to obtain a thermal reduction product can be performed in a temperature range of 850 to 950 ℃.
[0040] In one embodiment, the step of performing the mixture of the carbon raw material and the lithium compound at a temperature range of 850 to 950 ℃ can be performed at a heating rate of 3 to 7 ℃ / min. Specifically, the heating rate can be performed at a heating rate of 4 to 6 ℃ / min.
[0041] The method may include a step of controlling the content of lithium oxide in lithium sulfide through a solvent extraction method of the above thermal reduction product. Specifically, after thermally reducing lithium sulfate in the gas phase using a reducing agent such as carbon, solvent extraction may be performed to separate the obtained lithium sulfide from the residual reducing agent.
[0042] In one embodiment, the solvent may include at least one solvent having a carbon chain length of 2.5 or more. Specifically, the solvent may satisfy a carbon chain length of 2.5 to 5, more specifically, 3 to 4.
[0043] By having a long carbon chain within the aforementioned range, the above solvent can suppress sulfur loss during the drying process and subsequently minimize sulfur loss during the drying process. If the above solvent has a carbon chain length shorter than the aforementioned range, there is a problem of causing sulfur loss during the drying process. If the above solvent has a carbon chain length longer than the aforementioned range, there is a problem of difficulty in removing the solvent through drying.
[0044] The above solvent may be, for example, an alcoholic solvent. Specifically, the alcoholic solvent having 2.5 or more carbon chains may include, as a non-limiting example, at least one of n-propanol, isopropanol, and n-butanol.
[0045] In one embodiment, the solvent in the filtration step may include two or more types of solvents. Specifically, the filtration step may include a composite solvent that essentially includes a solvent having a carbon chain length of 2.5 or more.
[0046] In one embodiment, the solvent having a carbon chain length of 2.5 or more among the composite solvents may be 30 weight% or more based on 100 weight% of the total solvent. Specifically, the solvent having a carbon chain length of 2.5 or more may be 30 weight% or more, more specifically 30 to 80 weight%, and even more specifically 40 to 60 weight% based on 100 weight% of the total solvent. By satisfying the above range, the S / Li content in the filtrate can be controlled as intended, and accordingly, the characteristics of the lithium sulfide produced in the subsequent process can be improved.
[0047] In the above filtration step, when the solvent comprises a plurality of solvents, the solvent having a carbon chain length of 2.5 or more, which is an essential component among the plurality of solvents, satisfies the aforementioned range based on the total weight percentage of the solvent, thereby minimizing the loss of sulfur in the extract, which is the filtrate, and thus enabling the production of high-purity lithium sulfide with low impurities in subsequent processes.
[0048] In one embodiment, the solvent extraction step may be performed in a range of 0 to 60 ℃. Specifically, the filtration step may be performed in a range of 10 to 50 ℃, more specifically, in a range of 20 to 45 ℃.
[0049] As the above filtration step is performed within the aforementioned temperature range, the proportion of sulfur in the extract, which is the filtrate, increases, so the S / Li ratio can be controlled to a target range, and the lithium content in the extract is controlled to an appropriate ratio, resulting in less loss of sulfur and allowing for the subsequent drying process to obtain lithium sulfide with a low impurity content.
[0050] In one embodiment, the ratio of sulfur to lithium (S / Li) in the filtered filtrate obtained through the filtration step may be in the range of 0.45 to 0.55. The ratio can be adjusted by including the content of sulfur added prior to the purification step.
[0051] Specifically, the S / Li ratio may be 0.460 or higher, more specifically 0.470 or higher, and even more specifically 0.475 to 0.520 or lower. By satisfying the aforementioned range, the lithium content in the extract is controlled to an appropriate ratio, thereby allowing for the production of lithium sulfide with minimal sulfur loss. If the ratio deviates from the upper or lower limit, there is a problem in that the ratio of sulfur to lithium deviates from the appropriate range, making it impossible to obtain high-purity lithium sulfide.
[0052] In one embodiment, the sulfur content in the filtrate filtered through the filtration step may be 3.5 to 15.0 g / L. The sulfur content may be 4.0 to 11.0 g / L. By satisfying the aforementioned range of sulfur content, an extract with low sulfur loss can be prepared.
[0053] In one embodiment, the lithium content in the filtered filtrate obtained through the filtration step may be greater than 0 to 7.0 g / L. Specifically, the lithium content may be 1 to 5.0 g / L or 1.65 to 4.80 g / L. By satisfying the aforementioned ranges for the lithium content, lithium sulfide with low sulfur loss and low impurity content in the subsequent drying process can be obtained.
[0054] In one embodiment, the filtration step may be performed in an inert atmosphere. Specifically, the inert atmosphere may be performed in an inert atmosphere such as Ar, H2, He, or N2.
[0055] In one embodiment, the filtration step may extract Li2S by dissolving the thermal reduction product in a solvent and stirring at room temperature for 1 to 30 hours, specifically 20 to 27 hours. As the solvent extraction step is performed for the aforementioned time, lithium sulfide with low sulfur loss can be produced.
[0056] Specifically, the stirring can be performed at 50 to 300 rpm, specifically 50 to 200 rpm, and more specifically 100 to 200 rpm. Subsequently, unreacted carbon is filtered using a pore size filter of 0.5 to 2 μm in an inert atmosphere. Afterward, a step of drying the filtrate using a concentrator such as a rotary evaporator was performed.
[0057] Specifically, the extractable reactant may partially dissociate in solution or simultaneously achieve dynamic equilibrium with an ion pair according to the following reaction scheme 1_2.
[0058] [Reaction Equation 1_1] - Isopropane alcohol 100%
[0059] Li2S(s) + CH3CHCH3OH(l) → LiSH + CH3CHCH3O-Li ↔ 2Li + + HS - + (CH3CHCH3O) -
[0060] [Reaction Equation 1_2] - Isopropane alcohol + ethanol complex solvent
[0061] 2Li2S(s) + CH3CHCH3OH(l) + CH3CH2OH(l) → 2LiSH + CH3CHCH3O-Li + CH3CH2O-Li ↔ 4Li + + 2HS - + (CH3CH2O) - + (CH3CHCH3O) -
[0062]
[0063] The step of drying the above-mentioned filtrate can be performed in a temperature range of 20 to 160 ℃. Specifically, the temperature range can be performed in a temperature range of 30 to 150 ℃, more specifically, in a temperature range of 40 to 150 ℃.
[0064] The step of drying the above filtrate may be a step of slowly drying the solution containing lithium sulfide extracted through filtration by evaporating it. Through the drying step, the solution containing lithium sulfide may be evaporated to obtain a white powder, which can be expressed by the following reaction schemes 2_1 and 2_2.
[0065] [Reaction Equation 2_1] - Isopropane alcohol 100%
[0066] 2Li + + HS - + (CH3CHCH3O) - + n CH3CHCH3OH(l) → Li2S(s) + (n+1) CH3CHCH3OH(l)↑
[0067] [Reaction Equation 2_2] - Isopropane alcohol + ethanol complex solvent
[0068] 4Li + + 2HS - + (CH3CHCH3O) - + (CH3CH2O) - + n CH3CHCH3OH(l) + m CH3CH2OH(l)→ Li2S(s) + (n+1) CH3CHCH3OH(l)↑ + (m+1) CH3CH2OH(l)↑
[0069] The white powder obtained according to the above reaction schemes 2_1 and 2_2 may be a crude powder in which an ethanol solvent is adsorbed or absorbed around a mixture of lithium sulfide or extractable reactants.
[0070] In addition, water sulfide ions (HS) caused by heat applied during the drying process of the solution -Differences in acid-base changes occur between molecules with long carbon chains and / or complex solvents containing them, which can cause some of the hydrosulfide ions to exit the system in the form of hydrogen sulfide gas through side reactions such as reaction schemes 3_1 and 3_2 below.
[0071] [Reaction Equation 3_1] - Isopropane alcohol 100%
[0072] 2Li + + HS - + (CH3CHCH3O)- + CH3CHCH3OH(l) → 2Li(CH3CHCH3O) + H2S(g)↑
[0073] [Reaction Equation 3_2] - Isopropane alcohol + ethanol complex solvent
[0074] 2Li + + HS - + (RO)- + ROH(l) → 2Li(RO) + H2S(g)↑ (R= CH3CH 2, CH3CHCH3)
[0075] In one embodiment, the solvent having a carbon chain length of 2.5 or more may have an acid dissociation constant greater than 16 pKa. Specifically, the acid dissociation constant may be 16.2 pKa or more, more specifically, 16.2 pKa to 20 pKa. In one embodiment, the solvent having a carbon chain length of 2.5 or more may have a boiling point of 120 °C or less. Specifically, the boiling point may be 100 °C or less, more specifically, 75 to 100 °C, and more specifically, 80 to 100 °C. By satisfying the aforementioned ranges for the acid dissociation constant and the boiling point, the generation of hydrogen sulfide gas during the reaction can be suppressed.
[0076] Specifically, while ethanol has an acid dissociation constant of 16 pKa and a boiling point of approximately 78.37 °C, isopropanol has an acid dissociation constant of 16.5 pKa and a boiling point of approximately 82.5 °C. As such, since the acid dissociation constant of isopropanol is higher than that of ethanol and thus has lower acidity, the generation of hydrogen sulfide gas described in [Reaction Equation 3_1] can be suppressed when extracted with isopropanol compared to when extracted with ethanol. Accordingly, the loss of sulfur can be suppressed by using isopropanol.
[0077] By controlling the drying temperature during the step of drying the above-mentioned filtrate, the dielectric constant value of the solvent may differ, thereby changing the degree of ion dissociation. Specifically, if the drying temperature increases, the dielectric constant of the solvent decreases, making it difficult for ions to dissociate in the solvent phase. This weakens the basicity of the hydrosulfide ions, which can delay or hinder the generation of hydrogen sulfide, thereby inducing the formation of lithium sulfide in terms of the overall reaction. This is expressed as shown in Reaction Scheme 4 below.
[0078] [Reaction Equation 4_1] - Isopropane alcohol 100%
[0079] LiSH + Li(CH3CHCH3O) + CH3CHCH3OH(l) → Li2S(s) + 2CH3CHCH3OH(l)
[0080] [Reaction Equation 4_2] - Isopropane alcohol + ethanol complex solvent
[0081] LiSH + Li(RO) + ROH(l) → Li2S(s) + 2ROH(l) (R= CH3CH 2, CH3CHCH3)
[0082] In one embodiment, the method for manufacturing lithium sulfide may include a step of heat-treating the dried material after a drying step. The step of heat-treating the dried material involves applying heat to the dried material to obtain a final lithium sulfide (Li2S) powder.
[0083] In one embodiment, the dried product may be subsequently heat-treated in a temperature range of 650 to 950 ℃, specifically in a temperature range of 700 to 900 ℃. In one embodiment, the heating rate of the heat treatment step may be performed at 5 to 20 ℃ per minute. Specifically, the heating rate may be performed at 5 to 15 ℃ / min, more specifically at 8 to 12 ℃ / min.
[0084] In one embodiment, the maximum temperature holding time in the step of heat-treating the dried product may be performed for 1 to 6 hours. In one embodiment, the step of heat-treating the dried product may include a step of natural cooling after performing heat treatment for the aforementioned time.
[0085] If the upper limits of the aforementioned temperature, heating rate, and holding time are exceeded, there is a problem in which lithium sulfide is converted into lithium oxide. If the lower limits of the aforementioned temperature, heating rate, and holding time are exceeded, there is a problem in which the purity of lithium sulfide is reduced because impurities such as lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate cannot be easily removed.
[0086] In one embodiment, the step of heat-treating the dried product may be performed in an inert gas atmosphere. The inert gas may include, for example, at least one of helium, neon, krypton, xenon, nitrogen, and argon.
[0087] In one embodiment, the step of heat-treating the dried product may be performed at a flow rate of the inert gas of 2.0 to 3.0 L / min. Specifically, the flow rate may be performed at 2.3 to 3.8 L / min.
[0088] If the above flow rate exceeds the upper limit of the aforementioned range, there is a problem that the process cost increases due to the use of an excessive amount of inert gas in the manufacturing process. If the above flow rate exceeds the lower limit of the aforementioned range, there is a problem that organic solvents or decomposition products of organic solvents evaporating from the drying material are not discharged smoothly and remain in the form of carbides, thereby lowering the purity of lithium sulfide.
[0089] In another embodiment of the present invention, an azirodite-based solid electrolyte prepared using the aforementioned lithium sulfide is provided.
[0090] Argyrodite-based solid electrolytes have the basic formula Li6PS5Cl, to which various doping elements may be included. Specifically, halogens, oxygen, transition metals, etc., may be included. These can be selectively positioned at the S, P, and Li sites.
[0091] The manufacturing method of these may utilize various methods known to those skilled in the art, but is not limited thereto.
[0092] The above solid electrolyte may have an ionic conductivity of 2.2 mS / cm or higher, and specific experimental grounds for this will be described later.
[0093] A lithium sulfide purification having an optimal range of peaks can be obtained. This improves the efficiency of subsequent steps, thereby improving the purity and yield of the final product.
[0094] Figure 1-2 shows the results of peak area calculation and calibration curve construction for Li2CO3 at 700-800℃.
[0095] Figures 3-4 show the results of peak area calculation and calibration curve construction for Li2SO4 at 900-1,000℃.
[0096] Figures 5-6 show the results of peak area calculation and calibration curve construction for LiOH at 400-600°C.
[0097] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims set forth below.
[0098]
[0099] Experimental Example 1: Lithium sulfide purified by solvent extraction method
[0100] 720 g of graphite and 240 g of lithium sulfate monohydrate were mixed evenly, and then heated to 900 ℃ at a rate of 5 ℃ per minute in an inert gas (Ar) atmosphere. Subsequently, heat treatment was performed at 900 ℃ for 2 hours, at which point the lithium sulfate was thermally decomposed into lithium sulfide, which was obtained in a mixed state with the graphite.
[0101] Afterward, the obtained mixture was naturally cooled in an inert gas atmosphere and stored in a glove box.
[0102] Afterwards, optionally, additional sulfur was added to the obtained mixture. The type of sulfur added was solid sulfur, and each was added according to the S / Li molar ratio in Table 1.
[0103] In an inert gas atmosphere, 15 g of the thermal reduction product is added to 75 mL of ethanol or a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethanol, and stirred sufficiently at room temperature for 24 hours. After stopping the stirring, the mixed slurry is filtered, and the graphite that does not dissolve in the solvent remains in a wet state in the filtration funnel, while the remainder is obtained as a solution in the filtration flask.
[0104] Subsequently, the prepared filtrate was transferred to a 100 L round-bottom flask, mounted on a rotary evaporator, and the solution was evaporated and concentrated using a vacuum pump to proceed with the drying process. During this process, the experiment was conducted under vacuum conditions at a drying temperature of 50 ℃ for a total of 30 minutes.
[0105] Specifically, the vacuum pressure was controlled within the range of 15-200 mbar, and an external constant temperature bath was used for drying. When drying at a temperature of 60 ℃ or lower, a heated water bath was used, and when a temperature of 80 ℃ or higher was required, a constant temperature bath containing silicone oil was used.
[0106] Lithium sulfide powder was obtained by heat-treating the dried powder at 800 ℃ for 2 hours. The heating rate during heat treatment was 10 ℃ / min, and the flow rate of Ar gas was 2.5 L / min.
[0107] TPD-MS, component analysis, etc. were performed on the samples obtained in this way, and the results are shown in Table 2-4 below.
[0108] Sample Name S / Li Molar Ratio Ethanol (v / v%) Isopropanol (v / v%) Sample 10.4801000 Sample 20.5554060 Sample 30.5605050 Sample 40.5506040 Sample 50.5506040
[0109] TPD-MS (Temperature Programmed Desorption - Mass Spectrometry) method. The TPD-MS method is a method in which an MS device is directly connected to a special heating device equipped with a temperature controller to track changes in concentration for each mass of gas generated from a sample during heating, as a coefficient of temperature and time.
[0110] Specifically, it is performed through the following steps.
[0111] First, the sample is collected in a moisture-free argon atmosphere. Afterward, it is removed to prevent exposure to the atmosphere and mounted on the analyzer.
[0112] In a helium atmosphere, the temperature is increased from room temperature to 1000°C at a rate of 20°C / min. The mass value and amount of the gas exiting are checked using a mass spectrometer. Quantitative analysis of the lithium compound is performed using the prepared calibration curve.
[0113] The specific conditions for measurement are as follows.
[0114] Heating Device: TRC Special Heating Device Small
[0115] MS Device: Shimadzu Corporation GC / MS QP2010Plus(10)
[0116] Data Processing: TRC Thermal Analysis Data Processing System "THADAP-TGGC / MS"
[0117] Measurement Mode: After loading the sample into the device, flow the carrier gas for at least 15 minutes and start the measurement.
[0118] Heating conditions: Room temperature → 1000℃ or Room temperature → 1000℃ × 30 min, heating rate 20℃ / min
[0119] Sample weight: 15 mg
[0120] MS Sensitivity: Gain 1.30 kV
[0121] Mass number range: m / z = 10–300 *1
[0122] Atmosphere: He flow rate 50 mL / min
[0123]
[0124] Method for quantifying data by sample
[0125] To confirm the possibility of detecting lithium compounds existing as impurities at the percent level, a calibration curve was constructed by analyzing lithium carbonate, lithium sulfate, and lithium hydroxide mixed in specific ratios within lithium sulfide. (Lithium carbonate: 0.5–5%, Lithium sulfate: 0.5–5%, Lithium hydroxide: 0.5–1%)
[0126] It shows linearity of over 99%, confirming that this analysis technique is valid for quantitative analysis.
[0127] The data processed for the calibration curves for the three components below are as follows.
[0128] Table 2 and Figure 1-2 below show the results of peak area calculation and calibration curve construction for Li2CO3 at 700-800℃.
[0129] Amount of Li2CO3 component (mg) Peak Area Value Std-10.0725121,704,077 Std-20.018066,855,543 Std-30.007052,980,617
[0130] Table 3 and Figure 3-4 below show the results of peak area calculation and calibration curve construction for Li2SO4 at 900-1,000℃.
[0131] Amount of Li2SO4 component (mg) Peak Area Value Std-10.076516,497,093 Std-20.01459,387,174 Std-30.00769,068,145
[0132] Table 4 and Figures 5-6 below show the results of peak area calculation and calibration curve construction for LiOH at 400-600°C.
[0133] Amount of LiOH component (mg) Peak area value Std-10.075049,055,647 Std-20.01563,446,229 Std-30.00903,711,209
[0134] Based on the data above, it can be seen that optimal impurity control of lithium sulfide is possible by calculating area values from TPD-MS peaks for trace elements.
[0135] Experimental Example
[0136] Tables 5-7 below show the peak areas at each temperature of the aforementioned samples 1-5.
[0137] - m / z=44, CO2 emission curve, 700-800℃ Sample Name Peak Area Sample 11,226,797,490 Sample 2,411,875,623 Sample 3,339,866,936 Sample 4,246,217,104 Sample 5,315,834,063
[0138] - m / z=64, SO2 generation curve, 800-1,000℃ Sample Name Peak Area Sample 166,169,020 Sample 217,858,860 Sample 330,020,047 Sample 427,446,135 Sample 565,492,781
[0139] - m / z=18, H2O generation curve, 400-600℃ Sample Name Peak Area Sample 138,821,392 Sample 230,833,921 Sample 317,725,629 Sample 42,517,168 Sample 53,807,452
[0140] At this time, an azirodite-based solid electrolyte was prepared using these samples, and its ionic conductivity was measured. Table 8 below shows the ionic conductivity, ionic conductivity after exposure to moisture, and retention evaluation results after exposure to moisture of the azirodite-based solid electrolyte prepared above.
[0141] All-solid (Azirodite Li6PS5Cl) Sample Name Ion conductivity (mS / cm) After moisture exposure Ion conductivity (mS / cm) After moisture exposure Retention (%) Sample 12.0 70.8 64 1.5 Sample 22.2 0.9 40.9 Sample 32.4 30.9 33 8.5 Sample 42.6 21.2 24 6.6 Sample 52.5 61.0 9 42.8
[0142] It was confirmed that the solid material prepared using lithium sulfide having an optimal TPD-MS value exhibited excellent ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties.
[0143] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be manufactured in various different forms, and those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical concept or essential features of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.
Claims
1. In TPD-MS analysis, Having a peak area of 500,000,000 AU or less in the temperature range of 700 - 800 ℃, Having a peak area of 66,000,000 AU or less in the temperature range of 800 - 1,000 ℃, Lithium sulfide having a peak area of 35,000,000 AU or less in a temperature range of 400 - 600 ℃.
2. In Paragraph 1, Lithium sulfide having a peak area of 350,000,000 AU or less in a temperature range of 700 - 800 ℃.
3. In Paragraph 1, Lithium sulfide having a peak area in the range of 200,000,000 - 350,000,000 AU at a temperature range of 700 - 800 ℃.
4. In Paragraph 1, Lithium sulfide having a peak area in the range of 30,000,000 - 66,000,000 AU at a temperature range of 800 - 1,000 ℃.
5. In Paragraph 1, Lithium sulfide having a peak area in the range of 30,000,000 - 35,000,000 AU at a temperature range of 800 - 1,000 ℃.
6. In Paragraph 1, Lithium sulfide having a peak area of 20,000,000 AU or less in a temperature range of 400 - 600 ℃.
7. In Paragraph 1, Lithium sulfide having a peak area in the range of 1,000,000 - 20,000,000 AU at a temperature range of 400 - 600 ℃.
8. In Paragraph 1, Lithium sulfide having a peak area in the range of 1,000,000 - 3,000,000 AU at a temperature range of 400 - 600 ℃.
9. An azirodite-based solid electrolyte manufactured using lithium sulfide according to claim 1.
10. In Paragraph 9, The above solid electrolyte is an azyrodite-based solid electrolyte having an ionic conductivity of 2.2 mS / cm or higher.