Chalcohalide Solid Electrolytes via One-Step Mechanochemical Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing superionic solid electrolytes face challenges in achieving high ionic conductivity and are limited by synthesis complexities and safety issues associated with liquid electrolytes, hindering their practical application in all-solid-state batteries.
Innovation Solution
Development of chalcohalide solid electrolytes with the formula AaMbNcXdYeSf, synthesized via a cost-effective one-step mechanochemical approach, offering high ionic conductivity and suitable for large-scale production of solid-state batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional multi-step synthesis methods are used for solid electrolytes, then structural control can be achieved, but synthesis complexity and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple synthesis steps into a single mechanochemical reaction step. By mixing precursors (LiCl, AlCl3, and sulfur) and subjecting them to ball-milling, the method simultaneously achieves mixing, reaction, and phase formation in one process, eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling steps while maintaining structural control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces thermal processing (heating and cooling steps) with mechanochemical processing (ball-milling). The mechanical energy from ball-milling drives the chemical reaction and phase transformation directly, substituting the traditional thermal field with a mechanical field to achieve the desired crystal structure.
2Reliability
If heating steps are included in synthesis, then reaction completeness can be improved, but energy consumption and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal energy input with mechanical energy input from ball-milling. The mechanical collisions and friction during ball-milling provide the activation energy needed for the reaction, eliminating the need for external heating while ensuring complete reaction through sustained mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball-milling process generates heat internally through mechanical friction and collisions, which is sufficient to drive the reaction without external heating. The system uses its own operational energy (mechanical input) to create the thermal conditions needed for reaction completeness.
3Reliability
If liquid electrolytes are used, then ionic conductivity can be achieved, but safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from liquid to solid. By synthesizing a solid chalcohalide electrolyte with specific crystal structure, the material maintains ionic conductivity through solid-state ion transport mechanisms while eliminating the safety hazards associated with liquid electrolytes such as leakage and flammability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solid electrolyte material combining lithium, aluminum, chlorine, and sulfur in a specific stoichiometric ratio (Li2AlCl3S). This composite structure provides both the ionic conductivity needed for battery operation and the structural stability required for safety, merging the benefits of different elements into a single functional material.
4Reliability
If doping is applied to improve ionic conductivity, then electrochemical performance can be enhanced, but synthesis difficulty increases due to thermodynamic considerations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanochemical doping through ball-milling, which allows for easier incorporation of dopants compared to thermal methods. The mechanical energy facilitates the mixing and reaction of precursor materials with dopants, overcoming thermodynamic barriers that would otherwise require complex multi-step thermal processing and high temperatures.
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 chalcohalide electrolytes exhibit enhanced ionic conductivity, enabling efficient energy storage in solid-state batteries, overcoming synthesis barriers and safety concerns of liquid electrolytes.
Implementation Method 1
a one-step synthesis approach that uses mechanochemistry is beneficial as it can remove the extra heating step
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to solid chalcohalide electrolytes and the efficient synthesis of solid chalcohalide electrolytes. The electrolytes have the general formula AaMbNcXdYeSf and have relatively high ionic conductivity. The electrolytes can be a component of different types of batteries. The process of synthesizing the electrolytes can be done with cost-effective materials, which is useful for scaling-up production of batteries such as all-solid-state batteries.