Composite Solid-State Electrolyte for Ion-Electron Transport Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes face challenges such as high cost, low energy density, safety concerns due to flammability, and incompatibility with advanced battery chemistries like lithium metal anodes and high voltage cathodes, necessitating the development of solid-state batteries with improved ionic and electronic conduction.
Innovation Solution
A composite electrode with a solid-state electrolyte comprising a ceramic material, such as lithium, lanthanum, and zirconium with a garnet-type crystal structure, doped with transition metal ions like cobalt to enhance electronic conductivity while maintaining high ionic conductivity, facilitating efficient ion and electron transport in lithium-ion batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolyte is used in lithium-ion batteries, then ionic conductivity is achieved, but safety concerns arise due to flammability and combustion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from liquid to solid, transforming it from a flammable liquid electrolyte to a non-flammable solid electrolyte. This parameter change eliminates the combustion risk while maintaining ionic conductivity, directly resolving the safety contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining ceramic materials (providing structural stability and ionic conductivity) with dopant materials (enhancing electronic conductivity). This composite approach creates a solid electrolyte that simultaneously achieves safety, ionic conductivity, and improved electronic conductivity without the flammability issues of liquid electrolytes.
2Quantity of substance
If solid-state electrolyte is used to replace liquid electrolyte, then energy density increases, but manufacturing complexity increases due to special techniques required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the solid electrolyte by incorporating dopants into the ceramic matrix. This parameter change enhances electronic conductivity to levels comparable with liquid electrolytes, reducing the performance gap and simplifying manufacturing requirements while maintaining high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite solid electrolyte with ceramic and dopant phases, the patent achieves a material that combines high ionic conductivity (enabling high energy density) with improved electronic conductivity. This composite structure allows for more conventional manufacturing techniques compared to pure ceramic electrolytes, reducing manufacturing complexity.
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 enables the production of all-solid-state batteries with increased energy density, safety, and reduced costs, addressing the limitations of liquid electrolyte-based batteries by providing improved electronic and ionic conduction pathways, thus supporting higher performance and safer energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-state electrolyte material... having a lithium-ion conductivity
Implementation Method 2
a conductive material electronic conductivity wherein the conductive material electronic conductivity is greater than a reference electronic conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are electrochemical devices, such as lithium ion battery electrodes, lithium ion conducting solid-state electrolytes, and solid-state lithium ion batteries including these electrodes and solid-state electrolytes. Also disclosed are methods for making such electrochemical devices. Also disclosed are composite electrodes for solid state electrochemical devices. The composite electrodes include one or more separate phases within the electrode that provide electronic and ionic conduction pathways in the electrode active material phase.