Halide Electrolyte Activation in Solid-State Batteries Above 4.0 V

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) utilizing halide electrolytes have untapped potential for enhancing performance, particularly in silicon and anode-less chemistry, due to their conventional use solely for ionic conduction, limiting their specific capacity and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Activating the all-solid-state battery comprising a halide electrolyte with a specific formula by charging it at a voltage greater than 4.0 V vs Li+/Li, leveraging the reversible electrochemical activity of Y-doped LZC to enhance specific capacity and address issues in silicon and anode-less chemistry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If halide electrolyte is used solely for ionic conduction, then device simplicity is maintained, but specific capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific capacityVSAvoidelectrolyte function complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The halide electrolyte is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the ionic conductor and the active material for lithium storage. This multi-functionality allows the electrolyte to contribute to specific capacity beyond traditional ionic conduction, achieving up to 35% enhancement in anode-less cells and 50% in Si-based cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If conventional charging voltage is used, then electrolyte stability is maintained, but specific capacity enhancement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific capacityVSAvoidelectrolyte stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging voltage parameter is changed from conventional levels to greater than 4.0 V vs Li+/Li. This parameter change activates the electrolyte's redox activity, enabling lithium extraction and insertion reactions that significantly enhance specific capacity while maintaining electrolyte stability through reversible faradic activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If silicon anode is used, then energy density is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidanode structural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The halide electrolyte acts as an intermediary between the silicon anode and lithium ions. It forms a stable interface that accommodates silicon's volume expansion while maintaining ionic conductivity, thereby preserving anode structural stability during cycling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If anode-less chemistry is used, then device complexity is reduced, but capacity retention worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanode structureVSAvoidcapacity retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The halide electrolyte provides self-service by acting as both the ionic conductor and the lithium storage medium. In anode-less cells, the electrolyte's reversible redox activity enables it to store and release lithium ions, achieving up to 35% capacity enhancement while maintaining the simplicity of anode-less design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 activation method significantly enhances the specific capacity of ASSBs by 35% in anode-less cells and 50% in Si-based cells, improves cell safety and longevity, and maintains electrolyte properties despite structural changes, with reversible faradic activity observed across various compositions.

Implementation Method 1

charging it at a voltage greater than 4.0 V vs Li +/Li, leveraging the reversible electrochemical activity of Y-doped LZC to enhance specific capacity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

Existing all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) utilizing halide electrolytes have untapped potential for enhancing performance, particularly in silicon and anode-less chemistry, due to their conventional use solely for ionic conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4621865A1Activating method for an all-solid-state battery comprising halide electrolyte
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)
  • EP4621865A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3c
  • EP4621865A1 patent drawingFigure 4a
  • EP4621865A1 patent drawingFigure 5b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for activating an all-solid-state battery comprising a halide electrolyte having the formula:         Li[(x-y)+a+b+c+p]NayZr(1-a-b-c)EraYbSCcCl[(4+x)-m-n-o-p]ImBrnFoOp in which: 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 6; 0 ≤ y ≤ 6; 0 ≤ a ≤ 1; 0 ≤ b ≤ 1; 0 ≤ c ≤ 1; 0 ≤ m ≤ 1; 0 ≤ n ≤ 1; 0 ≤ o ≤ 1; 0 ≤ p ≤ 2; with 0 ≤ a+b+c ≤ 1 and (4+x) > (m+n+o+p), characterized in that the battery is activated by charging it at a voltage greater than 4.0 V vs Li+/Li.