Lithium-Ion Conductive Glass Sheet Forming for Dendrite Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for high-performance lithium battery cells with high energy density and resistance to lithium dendrite initiation and propagation, particularly in secondary batteries.
Innovation Solution
A standalone lithium ion-conductive solid electrolyte in the form of a freestanding inorganic vitreous sheet made from sulfide-based lithium ion conducting glass, which is highly conductive and resistant to lithium dendrites, manufactured through a method involving the transformation of a glass precursor using a collapsible mold and polymeric tube at controlled temperatures, resulting in a continuous, amorphous, and defect-free sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monolithic glass precursor is transformed into a thin sheet solid electrolyte separator, then the lithium ion conductivity and dendrite resistance are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The glass precursor is prepared in advance with specific composition and structure (monolithic form with controlled Tg and Tm) to facilitate subsequent processing. This preliminary preparation ensures the material has the necessary properties for thinning and final application, resolving the contradiction by preparing the material in advance to simplify the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass precursor undergoes controlled parameter changes during processing, including temperature control (heating to Tg-Tm range), pressure application, and thickness reduction. These parameter changes transform the bulk glass into a thin sheet with enhanced lithium ion conductivity and dendrite resistance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through controlled processing conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the glass precursor is heated and pressed to transform shape, then the desired preform shape and size are achieved, but the processing temperature and pressure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The glass precursor utilizes its glass transition (Tg) and melting (Tm) phase transitions to enable shape transformation. By heating to the Tg-Tm range, the glass becomes sufficiently soft and pliable to be pressed into the desired preform shape using the collapsible mold, achieving precise dimensional control without requiring excessive temperatures that would cause degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
A collapsible mold serves as an intermediary tool between the glass precursor and the final preform shape. The mold provides the mechanical constraint and geometric definition needed to achieve precise shaping, while its collapsible nature allows for easy removal and adaptation. This intermediary enables accurate shaping at controlled temperatures and pressures.
3Shape
If a collapsible mold is used to shape the glass precursor, then the preform can be formed with complex geometry, but the device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is designed with collapsible walls that can dynamically change from an expanded state (for receiving and shaping the glass precursor) to a collapsed state (for easy removal). This dynamic structure allows the mold to adapt its geometry during the processing cycle, enabling complex preform shapes to be formed without requiring equally complex fixed mold structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 provides a high degree of lithium ion conductivity while preventing dendrite penetration, enabling safe and scalable manufacturing of lithium metal secondary batteries with improved performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of the glass precursor monolith during pressing is at or above Tg and below Tm
Implementation Method 2
pressing and heating the glass precursor monolith while it is inside the collapsible hollow structure, wherein the temperature of the glass precursor monolith during pressing is at or above Tg and below Tm, and further wherein the pressing and heating operation uniformly collapses the hollow structure, thereby transforming the glass precursor monolith into a monolithic glass preform
Data Source
AI summary
An ionically conductive glass (or glassy) monolithic preform having a certain shape, size, and dimension may be made from a monolithic precursor material (e.g., an ingot or boule of ion conductive glass), generally of a different shape and size.