Functionalized Composite Electrolytes for Thin Solid-State Battery Films

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid-state electrolytes face challenges in large-scale commercialization due to poor adhesion to electrodes and mechanical properties, leading to high bulk resistance and dendrite formation, particularly with inorganic materials like sulfide glasses and ceramics, which are brittle and difficult to process into dense, thin films without sacrificing ionic conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A composite electrolyte system incorporating inorganic ionically conductive particles with an organic phase containing a polymer binder modified with functional groups, such as SEBS or PVDF, which provides improved mechanical properties and maintains high ionic conductivity, enabling the formation of dense, thin films suitable for all-solid-state batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If inorganic solid-state electrolytes (sulfide glasses and ceramics) are used to achieve high ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but adhesion to electrodes deteriorates and mechanical properties worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidadhesion to electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining inorganic ionically conductive particles with an organic polymer binder to create a hybrid electrolyte system. This composite structure allows the inorganic particles to provide high ionic conductivity while the polymer binder provides mechanical strength and adhesion to electrodes, resolving the contradiction between ionic conductivity and mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the polymer binder by introducing functional groups (such as carboxylic acid groups) to change its chemical properties. This parameter change enables the polymer to form strong chemical bonds with both the inorganic particles and the electrodes, significantly improving adhesion while maintaining the ionic conductivity provided by the inorganic particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If inorganic solid-state electrolytes are used to achieve high ionic conductivity, then ionic conductivity is improved, but processability into dense thin films deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidprocessability into thin films

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure combines rigid inorganic particles with flexible polymer binder, creating a material that maintains high ionic conductivity while gaining the processability benefits of polymers. The polymer matrix allows the composite to be formed into dense thin films through conventional processing techniques, overcoming the brittleness of pure inorganic electrolytes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer binder acts as an intermediary material between the inorganic particles and the processing environment. It provides a flexible matrix that holds the inorganic particles together, enabling the composite to be manipulated and processed into thin films without the inorganic particles fracturing or creating voids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If polymer binder is added to improve adhesion, then adhesion is improved, but ionic conductivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidionic conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer binder by adding functional groups that enhance its binding capability. This allows the use of a higher polymer content (improving adhesion) without proportionally sacrificing ionic conductivity, because the functional groups create stronger interfacial bonding that reduces void formation and improves ion transport pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The functional groups are distributed throughout the polymer binder, creating local regions of enhanced bonding capability at the interfaces between polymer and inorganic particles, and between polymer and electrodes. This localized quality improvement allows strong adhesion without requiring high overall polymer content, thus preserving ionic conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230374277A1Composite electrolytes with binders

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 BLUE CURRENT INC

AI summary

Functionalized polymeric binders for electrolyte and electrode compositions include a polymer having a polymer backbone and functional groups. In some embodiments, a polymer includes a non-polar polymer backbone and a functional group that is 0.1 to 5 wt % of the polymer. In some embodiments, a polymer includes a polar backbone and a functional group that is 0.1 to 50% weight percent of the polymer. Also described are composites for electrolyte separators and electrodes that include argyrodite ion conductors and polar polymers.