Doped Oxide Ion Conductor for Solid Lithium Battery Electrolytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium batteries face safety risks due to the reactivity between lithium metal and liquid electrolytes, leading to potential fires or explosions, necessitating the development of improved battery materials with enhanced safety and ionic conductivity.
Innovation Solution
The development of an ion conductor with specific oxide compositions, represented by Formulae 1 to 3, which includes Group 4 elements and certain dopants, providing improved ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability, is integrated into a positive electrode, solid electrolyte, and lithium battery design, along with a method of preparation involving heat-treatment processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid electrolyte is used in lithium batteries, then ionic conductivity is achieved, but safety deteriorates due to high reactivity between lithium metal and liquid electrolyte
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrolyte from liquid to solid form by using oxide materials (Li4±xM1−x′M′x′O4, Li4−yM′′O4−yA′y, or Li4+4zM′′′1−zO4). This phase transition eliminates the reactivity issues associated with liquid electrolytes while maintaining ionic conductivity through the solid oxide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite oxide materials doped with various elements (Group 2, 3, 5, 12, or 13 elements, vacancies, or halogens) to create a solid electrolyte that combines the benefits of structural stability with high ionic conductivity, replacing the simple liquid electrolyte system.
2Reliability
If solid electrolyte is developed to improve safety, then reactivity risk is reduced, but ionic conductivity at elevated temperatures must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters of the solid oxide electrolyte by controlling doping levels (x, x′, y, z values) and stoichiometry to achieve optimal ionic conductivity at elevated temperatures while maintaining the solid state structure for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces localized dopant atoms (Group 2, 3, 5, 12, or 13 elements, vacancies, or halogens) at specific sites within the oxide crystal structure to create localized pathways for ion transport, enhancing ionic conductivity at specific temperature ranges while preserving overall structural integrity.
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 ion conductor achieves high ionic conductivity at elevated temperatures, reducing internal resistance and enhancing safety by providing a pathway for lithium ions, thus improving the performance and safety of lithium batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The ion conductor achieves high ionic conductivity at elevated temperatures, reducing internal resistance and enhancing safety by providing a pathway for lithium ions
Implementation Method 2
heat-treating the precursor mixture in an oxidizing atmosphere to prepare a first heat-treatment product; heat-treating the pellet in an oxidizing atmosphere, a reducing atmosphere, or a combination thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An ion conductor including: at least one oxide represented by Formulae 1 to 3Li4±xM1−x′M′x′O4 Formula 1wherein in Formula 1,0≤x≤1 and 0≤x′≤1 ,M is a Group 4 element,M′ is an element of Group 2, an element of Group 3, an element of Group 5, an element of Group 12, an element of Group 13, a vacancy, or a combination thereof, with the proviso that when M is Zr, then x≠0, x′≠0 and M′ is Be, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Cd, Hg, Cn, Ga, In, TI, an element of Group 3, an element of Group 5, or a combination thereof;Li4−yM″O4−yA′y Formula 2wherein in Formula 2, M″ is a Group 4 element, A′ includes at least one halogen, with the proviso that when M″ is Zr, y≠0,Li4+4zM′″1−zO4 Formula 3wherein in Formula 3, 0<z<1, and M″′ is a Group 4 element.