Clay-Modified Solid Electrolyte for Stable Ion Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid electrolytes face challenges in achieving a balance between mechanical properties, chemical stability, and ionic conductivity due to incompatibility between hydrophobic polymer matrices and hydrophilic fillers, leading to reduced interfacial stability and uneven ion transport.

Innovation Solution

A clay mineral modified solid electrolyte is developed using a phosphate-based dispersing agent to improve filler dispersion within a porous composite network, enhancing mechanical integrity and chemical stability while maintaining ionic conductivity through non-covalent interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If inorganic fillers are added to polymer matrix to improve mechanical strength and chemical stability, then mechanical properties and chemical stability are improved, but filler aggregation occurs causing reduced ionic conductivity and inhomogeneous ion transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidionic conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A phosphate-based dispersing agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the inorganic filler and polymer matrix. The dispersing agent modifies the filler surface through non-covalent interactions, improving interfacial compatibility and preventing filler aggregation. This mediator enables homogeneous distribution of fillers while maintaining continuous ion transport pathways, thus preserving ionic conductivity while achieving enhanced mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a multi-phase composite solid electrolyte system consisting of polymer matrix, inorganic fillers, and phosphate-based dispersing agent. This composite structure combines the advantages of each component: the polymer provides flexibility and ion transport, the inorganic fillers enhance mechanical strength and chemical stability, and the dispersing agent ensures homogeneous distribution. The synergistic combination resolves the contradiction by achieving both improved mechanical properties and maintained ionic conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If inorganic fillers are added to polymer matrix to improve chemical stability, then chemical stability is improved, but phase separation occurs resulting in reduced mechanical strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The phosphate-based dispersing agent serves as a mediating component that prevents phase separation between inorganic fillers and polymer matrix. By adsorbing onto filler surfaces and providing compatible interfaces, the dispersing agent ensures homogeneous distribution of fillers throughout the polymer matrix. This prevents macroscopic phase separation while maintaining the chemical stability benefits of inorganic fillers, and simultaneously preserves mechanical strength through uniform stress distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional solid polymer electrolytes are used to achieve simplicity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but a balance between mechanical strength, chemical stability, and ionic conductivity cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidoverall effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention develops a composite solid electrolyte that maintains the ease of manufacture of conventional polymer electrolytes while significantly improving overall effectiveness. The composite system combines polymer matrix with inorganic fillers and phosphate-based dispersing agent, achieving synergistic effects that simultaneously enhance mechanical strength, chemical stability, and ionic conductivity. This multi-functional composite approach resolves the contradiction by delivering superior performance without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 modified electrolyte achieves faster charge-discharge cycles, reduced energy losses, and improved thermal stability, with enhanced alkali metal ion mobility and simplified manufacturing processes.

Implementation Method 1

the phosphate-based dispersing agent may modify the surface of the inorganic filler, preferably through non-covalent interactions with the surface, which reduces phase separation and agglomeration of the inorganic filler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-covalent interactions: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 2

The herein disclosed method relates to a sol-gel process, wherein an alkoxide compound and a polyether compound are converted into a cross-linked porous composite network

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSol-gel process: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4611098A1Solid electrolyte and electrode for a solid-state battery comprising functional fillers and dispersing agents, and methods for producing the same
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SOLITHOR
  • EP4611098A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4611098A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4611098A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The technology of the present invention generally relates to the field of power storage devices, and more specifically to a clay mineral modified solid electrolyte comprising a phosphate-based dispersing agent, electrodes, and methods for producing the same. In an aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: mixing an alkoxide compound selected from the group consisting of silica alkoxide, alumina alkoxide, zirconium alkoxide, and mixtures thereof; a polyether compound comprising two end groups of which at least one end group is a functional end group selected from the group consisting of alkoxysilane, alkoxy aluminium, alkoxy zirconium, and combinations thereof; an ionically conductive compound, a metal salt, clay mineral particles, a phosphate-based dispersing agent, and a solvent to form a liquid mixture; causing gelation of the liquid mixture to form a gel mixture; and drying and/or ageing the gel mixture to form a solid electrolyte.