Chalcogenide Solid Electrolyte Precursors via Transfer-Catalyst Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolytes face challenges such as low composition uniformity, slow production rates, limited types of solid electrolytes, and high costs due to the use of expensive and difficult-to-store materials like Li2S, which hinder mass production and ionic conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reaction of alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte raw materials in a polar aprotic solvent, using a transfer catalyst to ionize the alkali metal and transfer ions and electrons, resulting in a precursor solution in a suspended, dissolved, or partially suspended and partially dissolved state, followed by heat treatment to produce a crystalline or glass-ceramic structured solid electrolyte without the need for high-purity Li2S, Na2S, or K2S.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the suspension method is used to prepare solid electrolyte precursors, then particulate solid electrolyte precursors can be recovered, but the composition uniformity is low and the production rate is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transfer catalyst as an intermediary substance that mediates the reaction between alkali metal and chalcogen element. The transfer catalyst enables ion and electron transfer, facilitating the formation of alkali metal polychalcogenide in a controlled manner, which improves both composition uniformity and reaction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reaction parameters by using a polar aprotic solvent system and controlling the reaction conditions (temperature, concentration, ratio of reactants) to optimize the formation of solid electrolyte precursors. This allows for improved composition uniformity while maintaining high production rates
2Reliability
If expensive and difficult-to-store materials like Li2S are used, then high ionic conductivity can be achieved, but the production cost increases and mass production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and difficult-to-store materials like Li2S with cheaper and easier-to-handle alternatives such as alkali metal compounds and chalcogen elements. The use of transfer catalyst enables these simpler materials to achieve the same functional outcome, making mass production economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting traditional expensive materials with alternative materials that have similar electrochemical properties. The transfer catalyst system allows these alternative materials to achieve comparable ionic conductivity, thereby reducing production costs
3Ease of operation
If the dissolution method is used to prepare solid electrolyte precursors, then precursors can be obtained in a fully dissolved state, but additional processes are required for solvent evaporation and powder recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the solvent evaporation step from the process by using a transfer catalyst system that allows direct formation of solid electrolyte precursors in a suspended or precipitated state. This eliminates the need for additional solvent removal processes, simplifying the overall procedure
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of dissolving precursors and then evaporating solvent to recover powder (dissolution method), the patent inverts the approach by directly forming solid electrolyte precursors in a suspended or precipitated state through transfer catalyst-mediated reaction, avoiding the need for solvent evaporation entirely
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 approach enables the low-cost mass production of solid electrolytes with ionic conductivity comparable to conventional methods, reducing production time and costs by reusing solvents and eliminating the need for expensive raw materials, while controlling particle size and reaction rates for improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer catalyst that ionizes an alkali metal and transfers ions and electrons
Implementation Method 2
transfers ions and electrons, to prepare a precursor solution in which an alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte precursor is present
Implementation Method 3
heat treating the alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte precursor in a powder form
Implementation Method 4
heat treated to produce a crystalline or glass-ceramic structured solid electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing an alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte, a solid electrolyte prepared thereby, and an all-solid-state battery comprising the same. The technical gist of the present invention is to involve: reacting, in a polar aprotic solvent, alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte raw materials including an alkali metal-containing material, a transfer catalyst that ionizes an alkali metal and transfers ions and electrons, a chalcogen element, a compound of one or more elements of Groups 2 to 15 and Group 17 of the periodic table, to prepare a precursor solution in which an alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte precursor is present in a suspended state, a dissolved state, or a partially suspended and partially dissolved state, via an alkali metal polychalcogenide produced by the transfer of the ions and electrons from the alkali metal-containing material to the chalcogen element; recovering the alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte precursor as a powder from the precursor solution; and heat treating the alkali metal ion conductive chalcogenide-based solid electrolyte precursor powder.