Branched PEO Solid Electrolyte for Ceramic Dispersion and Ion Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional composite solid electrolytes face challenges in achieving high ionic conductivity due to uneven dispersibility of ceramic particles and high crystallinity of polymer matrices, particularly with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide, leading to limited processability and insufficient physical properties.

Innovation Solution

A composite solid electrolyte is developed using a polyethylene oxide-based copolymer with a branched structure and non-crosslinked design, uniformly dispersing ceramic compounds and lithium salts without additional plasticizers, allowing for improved ionic conductivity and simplified manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a highly crystalline polymer such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polypropylene oxide (PPO) is used as a matrix, then the structural stability is improved, but the dispersibility of oxide-based ceramic particles is reduced and ionic conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polymer matrix from crystalline to amorphous. By using an amorphous polymer matrix instead of a highly crystalline one, the patent achieves both improved dispersibility of ceramic particles and enhanced ionic conductivity, while maintaining structural stability through the amorphous structure's inherent flexibility and chain mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If oxide-based ceramic particles are dispersed in a polymer matrix to create a composite solid electrolyte, then the ignition and combustion stability is improved, but the dispersibility of ceramic particles and ionic conductivity remain insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition and combustion stabilityVSAvoiddispersibility of ceramic particles

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polymer matrix from crystalline to amorphous, which fundamentally improves the dispersibility of ceramic particles. The amorphous structure provides better matrix-free volume and enhanced chain mobility, allowing ceramic particles to disperse more uniformly throughout the matrix, thereby achieving both good dispersibility and maintained safety properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If additional plasticizers are added to improve polymer chain mobility and ionic conductivity, then the ionic conductivity is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity and process difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional plasticizers by using an amorphous polymer matrix that inherently provides sufficient chain mobility and ionic conductivity. This removal of extra components simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining or enhancing the ionic conductivity performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polymer matrix from crystalline to amorphous, which inherently increases chain mobility and ionic conductivity without requiring additional plasticizers. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex multi-component formulations and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If a block copolymer containing polypropylene oxide (PPO) units is used as the polymer matrix, then the processability is improved, but the thickness control and physical properties deteriorate due to high shrinkage rate and poor impact resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprocessabilityVSAvoidthickness control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polymer matrix from crystalline (as in block copolymers) to amorphous. The amorphous structure eliminates the high shrinkage rate and poor impact resistance associated with crystalline PPO-based polymers, while maintaining good processability and enabling better thickness control during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 electrolyte exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity up to 3.6×10⁻⁵ S/cm and maintains excellent mechanical properties, facilitating a simplified manufacturing process and improved dispersibility of ceramic compounds.

Implementation Method 1

uniformly dispersing ceramic compounds and lithium salts in a polyethylene oxide-based copolymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion:

Implementation Method 2

exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity up to 3.6×10⁻⁵ S/cm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon conduction:

Data Source

PatentUS20250323311A1Solid electrolyte and solid state battery comprising the same

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A solid electrolyte and an all-solid-state battery containing the solid electrolyte are provided. The electrolyte includes a polyethylene oxide-based copolymer having a branched structure; a lithium salt, and a ceramic compound where the lithium salt and the ceramic compound are dispersed in the polyethylene-oxide based copolymer. The ceramic compound can include an oxide-based solid electrolyte comprising lithium metal oxide or lithium metal phosphate.