Composite Solid Electrolyte With Deformable Polymer for Stable Li Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries reduce battery cycling life and safety, necessitating the development of solid electrolytes with high Li-ion conductivity, elastic modulus, electrochemical stability, and good interfacial contact with electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state electrolyte comprising an ion-conducting membrane surrounded by a pressure-deformable ion-conducting polymer with ceramic particles, which suppresses dendrite growth and penetration, and can be made thin and flexible, allowing for improved interfacial contact and accommodation of electrode volume changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolytes are used in lithium-ion batteries, then the batteries can operate with good ion conductivity, but the battery cycling life is reduced and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid, fundamentally altering the material properties to eliminate safety hazards associated with liquid electrolytes while maintaining ion conductivity through careful selection of solid electrolyte materials and their compositional parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite solid electrolyte structures combining different materials (such as ceramic particles embedded in polymer matrices) to achieve both high ion conductivity and mechanical stability, thereby improving cycling life and safety simultaneously
2Reliability
If solid electrolytes are used to improve safety and cycling life, then interfacial contact with electrodes may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes thin film solid electrolyte structures that can conform to electrode surfaces, improving interfacial contact area and quality while maintaining the safety and cycling life benefits of solid electrolytes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates solid electrolyte materials with appropriate mechanical compliance that can dynamically adapt to electrode volume changes during cycling, maintaining consistent interfacial contact without compromising structural integrity or safety
3Ease of operation
If the electrolyte is made thin and flexible for better contact, then mechanical strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite solid electrolytes where a thin flexible polymer matrix provides good interfacial contact while embedded ceramic particles or other reinforcement phases provide mechanical strength, achieving both thin-film flexibility and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the electrolyte structure, with the interface regions optimized for flexibility and contact, while the bulk regions maintain mechanical strength through reinforcement phases or crosslinked networks
4Stability of the object's composition
If ceramic particles are added to improve electrochemical stability, then the electrolyte may become rigid and lose flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates composite electrolytes where ceramic particles providing electrochemical stability are dispersed in a flexible polymer matrix, achieving a balance where the ceramic phases confer stability while the polymer continuous phase maintains flexibility and pressure deformability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the composition parameters of the composite electrolyte, including ceramic particle size, concentration, shape, and distribution, along with polymer matrix properties, to achieve the optimal balance between electrochemical stability and mechanical flexibility for the intended application
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 provides improved interfacial stability, low area-specific resistance, and increased energy density without compromising safety or compactness, enabling the use of metallic Li-anodes while preventing dendrite formation and enhancing battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
the ion-conducting polymer is pressure-deformable and has a glass transition temperature lower than the device operation temperature
Implementation Method 2
polymerizing the pre-polymer mixture under curing conditions (for example, UV or visible light, heat, microwaves, and combinations thereof) when it is on the ion-conducting membrane
Implementation Method 3
high ion conductance
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes an ion-conducting membrane with ion-conducting ceramic particles, and an ion-conducting polymer that surrounds the ion-conducting membrane. The ion-conducting polymer includes a pressure-deformable film with a glass transition temperature lower than an operation temperature of the device.