Solid Electrolyte Membrane With Swelling Layer Against Lithium Dendrites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries with solid electrolytes face safety issues due to lithium dendrite growth, which can lead to short-circuits and potential overheating or explosion, as the dendrites can contact the positive electrode, causing electrical shorts.
Innovation Solution
A solid electrolyte membrane for solid-state batteries is designed with inorganic particles capable of lithium intercalation and volumetric swelling, which are strategically placed to prevent direct contact with electrodes, thereby inhibiting lithium dendrite growth by creating voids and increasing resistance, thus preventing short-circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid electrolyte is used to ensure safety and prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but lithium dendrite growth causes short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
An artificial solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is introduced as an intermediary between the negative electrode and the solid electrolyte. This SEI layer acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact and interaction between lithium dendrites and the solid electrolyte, thereby blocking the harmful effect of dendrite growth while maintaining the safety benefits of the solid electrolyte system.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface properties between the negative electrode and solid electrolyte are modified by creating an artificial SEI layer with specific physical and chemical parameters. This layer has controlled thickness, composition, and mechanical properties that differ from both the electrode and solid electrolyte, enabling it to suppress dendrite penetration while allowing ion transport.
2Reliability
If the separator is damaged by deformation or external impact, then short-circuit risk increases, but using a solid electrolyte should prevent this
Solution Approach 1:
The protective interface structure is designed as a composite system combining the artificial SEI layer with the solid electrolyte and negative electrode. This composite structure integrates materials with different mechanical properties, where the SEI layer provides flexibility and damage tolerance, while the solid electrolyte provides structural integrity, together enhancing resistance to deformation and external impact.
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 effectively prevents lithium dendrite growth, enhancing the safety of solid-state batteries by reducing the risk of short-circuits and improving the reliability of the battery through the use of a membrane with inorganic particles that swell upon lithiation, creating a barrier that prevents ion transport and maintains electrical insulation.
Implementation Method 1
the inorganic particles react physically, chemically or electrochemically with lithium ions or lithium so that they may be lithiated, include a metal, metal oxide or both, undergo volumetric swelling by the lithiation
Implementation Method 2
inorganic particles capable of lithium ion or lithium intercalation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a solid electrolyte membrane for a solid-state battery, including at least two solid electrolyte layers and at least one volume-swelling layer, wherein the volume-swelling layer is disposed between the solid electrolyte layers. The solid electrolyte membrane includes (a) an ion conductive solid electrolyte material, and the volume-swelling layer includes (b) inorganic particles, wherein the inorganic particles form an alloy with lithium and include a metal, metal oxide or both. Thus, it is possible to provide a solid electrolyte membrane for a solid-state battery fundamentally prevented from a short-circuit by inhibiting growth of lithium dendrite.