Fluorinated Composite Electrolyte for Stable Sulfide Battery Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sulfide-based solid electrolytes in batteries face issues with ionic conductivity deterioration due to interface resistance with other solid particles, chemical side reactions with liquid electrolytes, low lithium ion transference number, flame retardancy loss, and unstable high-voltage oxidation stability, limiting their application in practical batteries.

Innovation Solution

A solid-liquid composite electrolyte is developed, combining a sulfide-based solid electrolyte with a liquid electrolyte containing a salt and a fluorinated organic solvent that dissolves the salt, reducing side reactions and maintaining high ionic conductivity, heat resistance, and flame retardancy, thereby improving the reliability and cycle-life characteristics of semi-solid secondary batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a liquid electrolyte is added to sulfide-based solid electrolyte to improve ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but chemical side reactions occur at the interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidchemical side reactions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is formed at the interface between the liquid electrolyte and sulfide-based solid electrolyte. This SEI layer acts as an intermediary that prevents direct contact and chemical side reactions between the liquid electrolyte and solid electrolyte, while still allowing lithium ion transport. The SEI layer is created through preliminary reaction or coating processes, establishing a protective barrier that resolves the contradiction between maintaining ionic conductivity and preventing harmful chemical reactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional liquid electrolyte is used with sulfide-based solid electrolyte to enhance conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but flame retardancy is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidflame retardancy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite electrolyte system combining liquid electrolyte and sulfide-based solid electrolyte in a controlled manner. The liquid electrolyte component provides high ionic conductivity, while the solid electrolyte component maintains flame retardancy and thermal stability. The composite structure allows the system to benefit from both materials' advantages, achieving high conductivity without sacrificing safety properties like flame retardancy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If liquid electrolyte is combined with sulfide-based solid electrolyte to improve conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but high-voltage oxidation stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidoxidation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical composition and physical parameters of the liquid electrolyte to achieve compatibility with sulfide-based solid electrolyte. By adjusting parameters such as electrolyte concentration, additives, and molecular structure, the liquid electrolyte is optimized to prevent oxidation reactions at high voltages while maintaining high ionic conductivity. This parameter optimization allows the composite electrolyte to operate stably at high voltages without deterioration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composite electrolyte achieves enhanced ionic conductivity retention, oxidation stability, and flame retardancy, ensuring safe and stable battery performance across the entire voltage range, while being economically feasible for practical applications.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid electrolyte including a salt and fluorinated organic solvent that dissolves the salt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

maintaining high ionic conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

reducing side reactions between the sulfide-based solid electrolyte and the liquid electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical stability:

Data Source

PatentUS20240186582A1Solid-liquid Composite Electrolyte including Sulfide-based Solid Electrolyte and Liquid Electrolyte, and Semi-solid-state Rechargeable Batteries
Publication Date: 2024.06.06 UI (UNIVERSITY IND FOUNDATION) YONSEI UNIVERSITY
  • US20240186582A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are a solid-liquid composite electrolyte, and a semi-solid secondary battery including the same, the solid-liquid composite electrolyte including a sulfide-based solid electrolyte and a liquid electrolyte, wherein the liquid electrolyte includes a salt and a fluorinated organic solvent that dissolves the salt.