Composite Solid Electrolyte-Cathode Assembly for Ion-Conductive 3D Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current secondary batteries face limitations in energy density, rate capability, stability, and durability, particularly in lithium secondary batteries, which hinder their performance in diverse electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A solid electrolyte-cathode assembly with a three-dimensional electrode structure is developed, incorporating a combination of amorphous and crystalline solid electrolytes, where the crystalline solid electrolyte is present in varying volumes and particle sizes within the amorphous electrolyte layer, enhancing ion conductivity and interfacial resistance, and is heat-treated to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional electrolyte structure is used, then the battery can be manufactured with simple structure, but the energy density and rate capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte layer is constructed as a composite material system combining amorphous solid electrolyte (providing ion conductivity and filling voids) with crystalline solid electrolyte particles (providing stable crystal structure and lithium ion pathways). This composite structure achieves high energy density through optimized material composition while managing structural complexity through a systematic multi-component design approach.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electrolyte layer are designed with different properties: the amorphous solid electrolyte provides continuous ion conduction pathways and fills spaces between particles, while the crystalline solid electrolyte particles provide stable lattice structures for lithium ion insertion/extraction. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both energy density and structural stability.
2Reliability
If the electrolyte layer thickness is increased, then the ion conductivity may improve, but the battery size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte layer thickness is optimized to a specific range (100 nm to 100 μm) to achieve sufficient ion conductivity while minimizing battery volume. The composite structure of amorphous and crystalline phases enables effective ion transport at reduced thickness compared to conventional single-phase electrolytes, thus improving the conductivity-to-volume ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte layer incorporates a porous structure where amorphous solid electrolyte fills the voids between crystalline solid electrolyte particles. This porous architecture increases the effective surface area for ion transport and provides multiple ion conduction pathways, enhancing ion conductivity without requiring increased thickness.
3Ease of manufacture
If crystalline solid electrolyte particle size is increased, then the manufacturing process simplifies, but the interfacial resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The average particle size of crystalline solid electrolyte is optimized to a specific range to balance manufacturing ease with interfacial resistance. Smaller particles provide larger total surface area for cathode contact, reducing interfacial resistance, while remaining manageable for conventional coating and heat treatment processes. The amorphous solid electrolyte further fills gaps between particles, ensuring continuous contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The amorphous solid electrolyte acts as an intermediary material that fills the spaces between crystalline solid electrolyte particles and ensures continuous contact with the cathode. This intermediary phase reduces interfacial resistance by providing additional conduction pathways and improving the wetting/contact between crystalline particles and cathode surface.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the volume fraction of crystalline solid electrolyte is increased, then the structural stability improves, but the ion conductivity may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte layer is designed as a composite with optimized volume fractions of crystalline and amorphous solid electrolytes. The crystalline phase (10-99 vol%) provides structural stability and defined lithium ion pathways, while the amorphous phase fills voids and provides continuous ion conduction. This composite composition balances structural stability with ion conductivity through synergistic material combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte structure incorporates controlled porosity where amorphous solid electrolyte fills the void spaces between crystalline particles. This porous architecture ensures that even at high crystalline content, continuous ion conduction pathways are maintained through the amorphous phase, preventing conductivity degradation while preserving structural stability.
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 solution significantly improves the capacity and rate capability of secondary batteries by increasing active material volume and reaction surface area, while maintaining ion conductivity, thus addressing the limitations of existing battery technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyte layer including an amorphous solid electrolyte and a crystalline solid electrolyte including a plurality of crystalline solid electrolyte particles
Implementation Method 2
is heat-treated to optimize performance
Data Source
AI summary
A solid electrolyte-cathode assembly including a plurality of cathode layers spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and an electrolyte layer including an amorphous solid electrolyte and a crystalline solid electrolyte including a plurality of crystalline solid electrolyte particles, wherein the amorphous solid electrolyte is on a surface of a cathode layer of the plurality of cathode layers and the crystalline solid electrolyte is within the amorphous solid electrolyte.