Solid Electrolyte Membrane with Guide Layer for Lithium Dendrites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium dendrites growing from the negative electrode can cause short circuits in all-solid-state batteries, leading to safety issues and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating metal particles with low Li metal nucleation overpotential into the solid electrolyte membrane as a guide layer to guide the growth of lithium dendrites horizontally, preventing them from penetrating through the membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a thin-film free standing type electrolyte membrane is manufactured using solid electrolyte material alone, then the battery structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but defects such as tears or cracks or separation may occur during manufacture or use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining solid electrolyte material with a porous substrate to create a composite electrolyte membrane. The porous substrate provides mechanical strength and structural stability, preventing tears, cracks, and separation, while the solid electrolyte material maintains ionic conductivity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by enhancing reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium metal is used as the negative electrode active material, then energy density is improved, but lithium dendrites grow from the negative electrode surface causing short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The porous substrate acts as an intermediary layer between the lithium metal negative electrode and the solid electrolyte membrane. This intermediary structure provides a controlled interface that guides lithium ion deposition, preventing uncontrolled dendrite growth while allowing high lithium content for energy density. The porous structure offers nucleation sites that promote uniform lithium deposition rather than dendritic growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials as the substrate structure, which provides controlled porosity to guide lithium ion transport and deposition. The porous structure prevents dendrite formation by providing multiple nucleation sites and controlling the deposition morphology, while maintaining high ionic conductivity pathways. This allows lithium metal to be used for high energy density without the harmful dendrite growth effect.
3Use of energy by moving object
If inorganic solid electrolyte with particulate ion conducting material is used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but lithium dendrites grow in the pore spaces and contact the positive electrode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where inorganic solid electrolyte particles are embedded in a porous substrate matrix. This composite approach maintains the high ionic conductivity of the inorganic particles while the continuous porous substrate structure prevents dendrite penetration by providing mechanical support and controlling pore geometry. The substrate acts as a barrier that dendrites cannot penetrate, even though pores are present for ion transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones: the inorganic solid electrolyte particles provide high ionic conductivity in specific regions, while the porous substrate provides mechanical strength and dendrite prevention in the continuous matrix. This spatial differentiation of properties allows the system to simultaneously achieve high ionic conductivity and dendrite suppression.
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 suppresses vertical dendrite growth, improving battery life and delaying short circuit occurrence, while maintaining ionic conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
the metal particles can form an alloy with lithium
Implementation Method 2
the metal particles have Li metal nucleation overpotential of 100 mV or less
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a solid electrolyte membrane for suppressing the growth of lithium dendrites and an all-solid-state battery comprising the same, the solid electrolyte membrane comprising a solid electrolyte material and metal particles, wherein the metal particles form an alloy with lithium.