Flexible Inorganic Solid Electrolyte Film for Safe Battery Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries using liquid electrolytes pose safety risks due to flammability and potential for overheating and fires during short-circuits, necessitating the development of safer alternatives with solid electrolytes that maintain high energy density and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A stacked structure with a flexible free-standing film incorporating an inorganic solid electrolyte layer, typically less than 5 micrometers thick, is created by exfoliating a solid electrolyte layer from a conductive substrate, allowing for improved flexibility and reduced risk of cracking, and is integrated into an electrochemical battery design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid electrolyte is used in lithium-ion batteries, then high ion conductivity is achieved, but safety deteriorates due to flammability and overheating risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid, fundamentally altering the safety parameters. The solid electrolyte layer (5-20 nm thick) eliminates flammability while maintaining ion conductivity through its crystalline or amorphous solid structure, directly resolving the safety-harmful factors contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining the solid electrolyte layer with electrode materials (such as lithium cobalt oxide and graphite) and conductive additives. This composite approach maintains high ion conductivity while eliminating the harmful flammable properties of liquid electrolytes, achieving both safety and performance
2Ease of operation
If the solid electrolyte layer thickness is reduced to improve flexibility, then flexibility and crack resistance improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an ultra-thin solid electrolyte layer (5-20 nm) that functions as a flexible film. This extreme thinness provides inherent flexibility and crack resistance while the layer is deposited using precision techniques such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to maintain manufacturing control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a substrate-based fabrication approach where the solid electrolyte layer is first deposited on a temporary substrate with controlled thickness, then transferred to the final battery structure. This copying process allows precise thickness control during manufacturing while achieving flexibility in the final product
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 enhances safety by eliminating flammable solvents, maintains desirable energy density, and provides a flexible, crack-resistant solid electrolyte layer that can be easily handled and applied in various applications, while ensuring reliable ion conductivity and cycle characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
the solid electrolyte layer includes an inorganic solid electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A stacked structure including: a conductive substrate; and a solid electrolyte layer disposed on one surface of the conductive substrate, wherein the solid electrolyte layer includes an inorganic solid electrolyte and the stacked structure has a flexible free-standing film having a thickness of about 5 μm or less. Provided are an electrochemical battery including the stacked structure, and a method of preparing the stacked structure.