Coated Solid-State Battery Cathodes for Faster Ion Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

High power cathode electrodes for solid-state batteries face challenges due to sluggish ion transport at the active material/solid electrolyte interface and poor solid electrolyte percolation within the electrode, which hinders the power delivery of composite cathode electrodes.

Innovation Solution

The use of single crystal cathode particles with an outer layer of lithium niobate (LiNbO3), lithium zirconate (Li2ZrO3), or lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) combined with solid electrolyte particles of specific sizes to optimize ion transport pathways and prevent interfacial side reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If solid electrolyte particles are used in composite cathode electrodes, then ionic conductivity is improved, but ion transport at the active material/solid electrolyte interface becomes sluggish

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidion transport speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an outer layer on cathode particles that acts as an intermediary between the active material and solid electrolyte. This intermediate layer facilitates ion transport across the interface, resolving the contradiction by providing a mediating structure that enables both ionic conductivity and fast ion transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the surface properties of cathode particles by adding an outer layer, changing the interfacial parameters between active material and solid electrolyte. This parameter change optimizes the interface for fast ion transport while maintaining bulk ionic conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If solid electrolyte is added to cathode electrode, then ionic conductivity is improved, but solid electrolyte percolation within the electrode becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidsolid electrolyte percolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the electrode structure. The outer layer is specifically designed with properties that promote solid electrolyte percolation, while the bulk active material maintains its ionic conductivity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If high power cathode electrodes are designed for solid-state batteries, then power delivery is improved, but interfacial side reactions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower deliveryVSAvoidinterfacial side reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer layer serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct contact between the active material and solid electrolyte, thereby eliminating interfacial side reactions. This mediator enables high power delivery without the harmful chemical reactions that would otherwise occur at the interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of interfacial reactions into a benefit by using the outer layer to prevent these reactions. The layer that might seem to add complexity actually protects the system and enables higher power operation by eliminating the harmful interfacial interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250149539A1High power cathode electrodes for solid-state batteries

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A solid-state battery cell includes A anode electrodes including an anode active material layer arranged on an anode current collector, C cathode electrodes including a cathode active material layer arranged on a cathode current collector. The cathode active material layer includes cathode active material comprising particles including an outer layer of a material selected from a group consisting of LiNbO3, Li2ZrO3, Li3PO4, and combinations thereof. A solid electrolyte has a D50 size in a range from 4 μm to 12 μm. S separators are arranged between the A anode electrodes and the C cathode electrodes, where A, C, and S are integers greater than one.