Hybrid Solid Electrolyte for Safe Li-Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available lithium-ion batteries face safety hazards due to dendritic growth on graphite electrodes and the use of flammable organic liquid electrolytes, and they have insufficient power density, limiting their adoption in electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method for forming a conformal, pinhole-free, hybrid organic-inorganic solid electrolyte on electrodes using electrochemical deposition, which provides electrical insulation while allowing lithium ion transport, and a process for creating a three-dimensional Li-ion battery architecture with electrically isolated interpenetrating electrodes to increase power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organic liquid electrolytes are used in lithium-ion batteries, then ionic conductivity is maintained, but safety hazards arise due to flammability and dendritic growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid by forming a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer through electrochemical oxidation of the organic carbonate solvent. This parameter change eliminates flammability and dendritic growth while maintaining ionic conductivity through the solid electrolyte layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure consisting of the electrode, the solid electrolyte interface layer, and the organic liquid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte interface layer acts as a protective composite that combines the benefits of solid electrolytes (safety, no dendrites) with the advantages of liquid electrolytes (ionic conductivity).
2Power
If conventional two-dimensional electrode architecture is used, then manufacturing is simple, but power density is insufficient for electric vehicle applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional planar electrodes to three-dimensional interpenetrating electrode structures. This dimensional change increases the interfacial surface area between electrodes and reduces lithium ion transport lengths, thereby dramatically increasing power density while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through additive processes.
3Reliability
If three-dimensional electrodes with irregular surfaces are coated with electrically insulating material, then electrical insulation is achieved, but coating uniformity becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electrochemical oxidation to form the solid electrolyte interface layer, allowing the system to self-organize and automatically conform to the complex three-dimensional electrode surface topology. This self-service mechanism ensures uniform coating thickness and complete coverage of irregular surfaces without requiring external coating equipment or complex process control.
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 prevents dendritic growth and eliminates the risks associated with flammable electrolytes, while enhancing power density by reducing lithium ion transport lengths and increasing interfacial surface area, resulting in a safer and more efficient lithium-ion battery.
Implementation Method 1
electrochemical deposition of a solid electrolyte onto a negative electrode
Implementation Method 2
provides electrical insulation while permitting the flow of lithium ions therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are described for forming insulating hybrid organic-inorganic solid electrolytes on conducting electrodes that are active materials in Li-ion batteries by electrochemical deposition, and for forming second conducting electrodes on the solid electrolytes using aqueous slurries, whereby Li-ion battery cells having solid electrolytes are generated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is utilized for determining that the solid electrolytes are defect and pinhole free.