Fluoride Ion Battery Solid Electrolyte Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluoride Ion Batteries face challenges with high resistances at nanoparticle surfaces and grain-boundaries due to low ionic conductivity, particularly in solid electrolytes that require elevated temperatures and rare-earth elements, and liquid electrolytes that can be unstable, limiting their application to thin-layer electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing a nanoparticle material with enhanced ionic conductivity using a fluoride compound treated in an aerosol or vapour-pressure atmosphere and subjected to a ball-mill process, along with excess-synthesis and surface-stabilizing additives, to create a solid state electrolyte with improved ion mobility, applicable at room temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solid electrolytes are used in Fluoride Ion Batteries, then ionic conductivity is improved, but elevated temperatures and rare-earth elements are required, increasing cost and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidtemperature requirement and material complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrolyte material by using fluoride compounds with specific crystal structures (such as CuF2, PbF2, SnF2) that inherently provide high ionic conductivity at room temperature, eliminating the need for elevated temperature operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive rare-earth elements with abundant, cost-effective metals such as copper, lead, tin, zinc, and aluminum, which provide comparable or superior ionic conductivity while significantly reducing material costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If liquid electrolytes are used in Fluoride Ion Batteries, then stability is improved, but reactive HF acid or fluor gas may be released, compromising safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrolyte stabilityVSAvoidreactive HF acid or fluor gas release

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs solid fluoride compound electrolytes that create an inherently inert and stable environment, preventing the formation and release of reactive HF acid or fluor gas that plagues liquid electrolyte systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of reactive fluoride species by using solid fluoride compounds where the fluoride ions are tightly bound in crystal structures, preventing their release while still enabling ionic conductivity through the lattice

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If electrode materials with low ionic conductivity are used, then electrolyte must be added up to 40 vol. %, but this restricts current technology to thin-layer electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidelectrode thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses solid fluoride compound electrolytes as intermediaries that provide high ionic conductivity pathways through their crystal structures, enabling bulk electrode materials to function effectively without requiring thin-layer geometries or excessive electrolyte volumes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method results in a solid state electrolyte with significantly reduced internal resistances, enabling the use of Fluoride Ion Batteries at room temperature with improved safety and cost-effectiveness, overcoming limitations of current technologies.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the fluoride compound is treated in an aerosol and/or vapour-pressure atmosphere

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerosol: Aerosol

Implementation Method 2

wherein the fluoride compound is treated in an aerosol and/or vapour-pressure atmosphere

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapour-pressure: Vapour Pressure

Implementation Method 3

subjected to a ball-mill procedure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical grinding: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS11479473B2Method for manufacturing a nanoparticle material and a fluoride ion battery

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 RAIKER WITTER

AI summary

A method is provided for manufacturing a nanoparticle material having an ionic conductivity as a battery material for Fluoride ion Batteries, thus, being capable for overcoming high resistances at the surfaces, grain-boundaries of nanoparticles or compartments of the nanoparticles by a material treatment selected from: (i) a ball-mill procedure under aerosol and/or vapour-pressure atmosphere, (ii) excess-synthesis, (iii) ball-milling with surface stabilizing and conductivity enhancing solid or/and gel/liquid additives or (iv) functionalizing the material to obtain functionalized nanoparticles (GSNP) comprising a dispersion of graphene, nanotubes and/or a further additive selected from carbon-black, graphite, Si and/or CFX, Herein, fluorides (EmmFh), fluorides composites (Em1m1Em2m2 . . . Fh1) are synthesized, wherein a first metal, metalloid or non-metal Em or Em1 and a second metal, metalloid or non-metal Em2 are dissimilarly selected from various elements in a manner that a battery material having an increased ionic conductivity is obtained.