Nano-Engineered Battery Coatings for SEI and Resistance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern batteries face performance degradation due to side reactions that increase resistance, reduce capacity, and shorten cycle life, primarily caused by the formation of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers and diffusion polarization barriers, which are not effectively addressed by existing coatings that enhance conductivity without blocking these reactions.
Innovation Solution
Applying a nano-engineered coating on anode, cathode, or solid-state electrolyte materials using techniques like atomic layer deposition, molecular layer deposition, or chemical vapor deposition, which are mechanically stable, thin, continuous, and non-porous, to inhibit undesirable chemical pathways and side reactions, thereby altering the behavior of the SEI layer and reducing contact and concentration polarization resistances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coatings are applied to enhance conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but side reactions and SEI layer formation are not blocked, leading to increased resistance and capacity fade
Solution Approach 1:
A nano-engineered coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the active material and electrolyte. This coating acts as a mediator that provides beneficial ionic conductivity while simultaneously blocking harmful side reactions and preventing SEI layer formation, thus resolving the contradiction between enhancing conductivity and preventing degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The coating's physical and chemical parameters are precisely controlled at the nanoscale, including thickness (5-50 nm), porosity (30-70%), and composition gradients. By optimizing these parameters, the coating achieves the dual function of facilitating ion transport while preventing harmful reactions, thereby improving cycle life without sacrificing conductivity
2Reliability
If a coating layer is applied to active materials, then resistance and capacity fade are reduced, but internal resistance may increase due to the additional layer
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is designed with a controlled porous structure (30-70% porosity) that allows efficient ion transport through the layer. The porous architecture provides multiple pathways for ion conduction, minimizing the increase in internal resistance while maintaining the protective function against capacity fade
Solution Approach 2:
The coating exhibits spatially varying properties with different regions having different porosity, thickness, and composition. The local structure is optimized to balance ionic conductivity and protective function, ensuring low overall resistance while providing adequate protection against capacity degradation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the coating is made thicker to better block side reactions, then protection against SEI layer formation improves, but ionic conductivity and contact resistance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The coating thickness is precisely controlled within the narrow range of 5-50 nm, and composition gradients are engineered to optimize the balance between protection and conductivity. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient blocking of SEI layer formation while maintaining low contact resistance through enhanced ionic transport
Solution Approach 2:
The coating is designed as a composite structure combining multiple materials with complementary properties. This composite architecture enables the coating to provide effective protection against SEI layer formation while maintaining high ionic conductivity, thus reducing contact resistance despite the presence of the coating layer
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
The nano-engineered coatings significantly improve cycle life, increase capacity, and reduce resistance growth, offering a cost-effective and flexible solution that can be applied in various manufacturing environments, with the potential for over 1,000 cycles without capacity fade, compared to uncoated materials.
Implementation Method 1
Applying a nano-engineered coating on anode, cathode, or solid-state electrolyte materials using techniques like atomic layer deposition
Implementation Method 2
molecular layer deposition
Implementation Method 3
chemical vapor deposition
Implementation Method 4
when the materials are exposed to air or oxygen, they may oxidize, creating areas of higher resistance
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a nano-engineered coating for cathode active materials, anode active materials, and solid state electrolyte materials for reducing corrosion and enhancing cycle life of a battery, and various process for applying the disclosed coating.