Ball Milling of Inorganic Electrolytes to Prevent Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The energy density of all-solid-state lithium ion batteries can be improved by reducing the proportion of solid electrolyte material in the electrode active material layer or the thickness of the solid electrolyte layer, which requires a method to suppress aggregate formation and achieve a small average particle size for the sulfide-based inorganic solid electrolyte material.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of a first inorganic material, its crushing using a ball mill to obtain fine particles, and subsequent separation from crushing balls, where the ball mill includes a cylindrical container and crushing balls, with the container rotated and moved to prevent aggregate formation and ensure efficient particle size reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sulfide-based inorganic solid electrolyte material is strongly crushed to reduce particle size, then the average particle size decreases, but the material aggregates and adheres to the inner wall of the cylindrical container
Solution Approach 1:
The ball mill container is rotated about a cylindrical shaft and simultaneously moved in the cylindrical shaft direction, creating dynamic motion that prevents the soft sulfide-based material from adhering to the container wall while maintaining effective crushing action
Solution Approach 2:
The container motion is extended from simple rotation to three-dimensional movement by adding translation in the cylindrical shaft direction, creating a complex motion pattern that prevents aggregate formation through continuous material redistribution
2Quantity of substance
If the proportion of solid electrolyte material in the electrode active material layer is reduced or the thickness of the solid electrolyte layer is reduced, then the energy density increases, but the handling properties and performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The particle size parameter of the solid electrolyte material is changed to a smaller range (0.1-20 μm), which allows reduction of the material proportion or layer thickness while maintaining performance through increased surface area and improved contact with electrode materials
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
This method effectively suppresses aggregate formation and achieves a small average particle size for the inorganic material, enhancing the energy density of all-solid-state lithium ion batteries while maintaining handling properties.
Implementation Method 1
a step (B) of obtaining a second inorganic material by crushing the first inorganic material using a ball mill to obtain fine particles of the first inorganic material, the ball mill including a cylindrical container and crushing balls
Implementation Method 2
a step (B1) of putting the first inorganic material and the crushing balls into the cylindrical container and subsequently rotating the cylindrical container about a cylindrical shaft
Implementation Method 3
a step (B2) of moving the cylindrical container such that the first inorganic material moves in the cylindrical shaft direction
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an inorganic material includes: a step (A) of preparing a first inorganic material as a raw material; a step (B) of obtaining a second inorganic material by crushing the first inorganic material using a ball mill to obtain fine particles of the first inorganic material, the ball mill including a cylindrical container and crushing balls; and a step (C) of separating the second inorganic material from the crushing balls to which the second inorganic material is attached, in which the step (B) includes a step (B1) of putting the first inorganic material and the crushing balls into the cylindrical container and subsequently rotating the cylindrical container about a cylindrical shaft and a step (B2) of moving the cylindrical container such that the first inorganic material moves in the cylindrical shaft direction.