Engineered Battery Particle Coating for Low-Resistance Ion Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional secondary batteries, particularly solid-state lithium ion batteries, face limitations in lithium or sodium ion conductivity and electrical conductivity, leading to reduced cell performance and capacity due to interface resistance between solid-state electrolyte particles and active particles, which is not commercially viable with existing coating techniques.
Innovation Solution
The development of an engineered particle with a conductive coating including a LixAlySizOw or NaxAlySizOw film and embedded carbon particles, which enhances alkali ion conductivity and electron conduction, facilitating intimate contact between the active material and the coating, thereby improving cell performance and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coating techniques are used on active particles, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the interface resistance between solid-state electrolyte particles and active particles remains high, reducing ion conductivity and electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-component conductive coating that combines alkali aluminosilicate glass (LixAlySizOw) with carbon particles (graphite, amorphous carbon, or carbon nanotubes). This composite structure simultaneously provides ionic conductivity through the glass matrix and electrical conductivity through the carbon network, resolving the contradiction between achieving high ion conductivity and maintaining coating simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive coating acts as an intermediary layer between the active particles and the solid-state electrolyte. This intermediate conductive coating mediates the interface interaction, reducing interface resistance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a slurry-based application process followed by thermal treatment.
2Quantity of substance
If existing coating techniques are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the cell capacity is limited due to high interface resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the composition ratios (x, y, z, w) of the LixAlySizOw glass and the type/amount of carbon particles to optimize both ionic and electrical conductivity. The thermal treatment parameters (temperature, atmosphere, duration) are also controlled to achieve the desired coating properties, enabling high cell capacity while maintaining ease of manufacture through a systematic process approach.
3Reliability
If a conductive coating with embedded carbon particles is applied, then electrical conductivity and ion conductivity are enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single conductive coating layer. The LixAlySizOw glass provides ionic conductivity and the embedded carbon particles provide electrical conductivity, combining both conductive properties in one integrated coating structure. This merging approach enhances both electrical and ion conductivity while managing complexity through a unified coating application process.
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 engineered particle achieves enhanced alkali ion conductivity and electron conduction, allowing secondary batteries to store energy up to 99% of their theoretical capacity, improving cell performance and reducing interface resistance in both liquid-state and solid-state batteries.
Implementation Method 1
the LixAlySizOw film is characterized by a lithium ion conductivity of about 10−5 S/cm
Implementation Method 2
at least one carbon particle disposed within the conductive coating
Data Source
AI summary
An engineered particle for an energy storage device, the engineered particle includes an active material particle, capable of storing alkali ions, comprising an outer surface, a conductive coating disposed on the outer surface of the active material particle, the conductive coating comprising a MxAlySizOw film; and at least one carbon particle disposed within the conductive coating. For the MxAlySizOw film, M is an alkali selected from the group consisting of Na and Li, and 1≤x≤4, 0≤y≤1, 1≤z≤2, and 3≤w≤6.