Hybrid Solid Electrolyte Particulates for Lithium Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries face safety concerns due to organic liquid electrolytes, with solid-state electrolytes having limitations such as low lithium-ion conductivity, high interfacial impedance, brittleness, and narrow electrochemical stability windows, which reduce energy density and are not compatible with existing battery production facilities.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid solid electrolyte system comprising inorganic solid electrolyte particles encapsulated in a conducting polymer shell, providing lithium-ion conductivity from 10−6 S/cm to 5×10−2 S/cm, electron conductivity, and a polymer-to-inorganic solid electrolyte ratio from 1/100 to 100/1, allowing for reduced electrolyte volume and improved electrode active material utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic solid electrolyte particles are used to achieve high lithium-ion conductivity, then lithium-ion conductivity is improved, but interfacial impedance with electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining inorganic solid electrolyte particles with conducting polymer electrolyte to form a hybrid structure. The conducting polymer component reduces interfacial impedance while the inorganic core maintains high lithium-ion conductivity, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and interface compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The conducting polymer electrolyte acts as an intermediary layer between the inorganic solid electrolyte particles and the electrode surfaces. This intermediary improves interfacial contact and reduces impedance while allowing the inorganic core to provide high ionic conductivity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high loading of inorganic electrolyte particles is used to ensure contiguous electrolyte phase, then electrolyte continuity is improved, but electrode active material proportion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The conducting polymer electrolyte forms flexible thin film coatings around inorganic electrolyte particles, creating a contiguous electrolyte network at lower overall electrolyte loadings. This flexible polymer matrix effectively connects particles while occupying less volume than traditional inorganic electrolyte configurations.
3Reliability
If traditional inorganic ceramic electrolyte is used to achieve thermal stability, then fire safety is improved, but mechanical properties and film-forming ability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid composite combines fire-resistant inorganic electrolyte particles with flexible conducting polymer electrolyte. The polymer matrix provides mechanical flexibility and film-forming ability while the inorganic particles maintain thermal stability and fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties by incorporating organic conducting polymer components into the inorganic electrolyte system, transforming it from a brittle ceramic to a flexible hybrid material with improved mechanical properties while maintaining thermal stability.
4Reliability
If sulfide electrolyte is used to achieve high conductivity and interface formability, then lithium-ion conductivity is improved, but toxic chemical species emission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces long-term stable but toxic sulfide electrolytes with conducting polymer electrolytes that may have lower individual conductivity but provide sufficient overall performance without toxic emissions. The polymer electrolyte system sacrifices some maximum conductivity potential for environmental safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful toxic emissions issue into a design constraint that drives the selection of alternative conducting polymer materials. This constraint leads to the development of hybrid electrolyte systems that eliminate toxicity while maintaining adequate conductivity through the polymer-inorganic composite structure.
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 hybrid electrolyte system enhances lithium-ion conductivity, reduces interfacial impedance, increases energy density, and is compatible with existing battery production facilities, providing a safe and non-flammable solid-state electrolyte for lithium batteries.
Implementation Method 1
the hybrid solid electrolyte particulate has a lithium-ion conductivity from 10−6 S/cm to 5×10−2 S/cm
Implementation Method 2
the conducting polymer electrolyte has an electron conductivity no less than 10−6 S/cm
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid solid electrolyte particulate for use in a rechargeable lithium battery cell, wherein said particulate comprises one or more than one inorganic solid electrolyte particles encapsulated by a shell of conducting polymer electrolyte wherein (i) the hybrid solid electrolyte particulate has a lithium-ion conductivity from 10−6 S/cm to 5×10−2 S/cm and both the inorganic solid electrolyte and the conducting polymer electrolyte individually have a lithium-ion conductivity no less than 10−6 S/cm; (ii) the conducting polymer electrolyte has an electron conductivity no less than 10−6 S/cm; and (iii) the conducting polymer electrolyte-to-inorganic solid electrolyte ratio is from 1/100 to 100/1 or the conducting polymer electrolyte shell has a thickness from 1 nm to 10 μm. Also provided is a lithium-ion or lithium metal cell containing multiple hybrid solid electrolyte particulates in the anode and/or the cathode. Processes for producing hybrid solid electrolyte particulates are also disclosed.