Laser-Deposited Lithium Anode with Solid Electrolyte for Dendrite Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face challenges with lithium metal anodes due to uncontrolled dendrite growth, safety risks, and difficulty in forming reliable bonds with other materials, as well as limitations in energy density and mechanical stress management, particularly with liquid and polymer electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing laser ablation deposition and mechanical compression to produce lithium-containing materials with inorganic solid electrolytes, enabling the creation of lithium-ion batteries with high energy density and improved safety by forming reliable contacts and preventing dendrite growth, using a combination of vacuum deposition and thermal processing to ensure homogeneous distribution and adhesion of cathode particles and electrolytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium metal anodes are used to achieve high energy density, then energy density is improved, but dendrite growth occurs causing safety risks and short-circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
A solid electrolyte layer is introduced as an intermediary between the lithium metal anode and cathode. This solid electrolyte acts as a physical barrier that prevents dendrite penetration while maintaining ionic conductivity, thus preserving energy density without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte is changed from liquid to solid state, fundamentally altering its physical parameters. This phase change enables the electrolyte to mechanically block dendrites while maintaining the necessary ionic transport properties for battery operation.
2Reliability
If solid inorganic electrolytes are used to prevent dendrite growth, then safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to difficulty in achieving homogeneous distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The solid inorganic electrolyte particles are pre-mixed with cathode material particles before assembly. This preliminary mixing ensures homogeneous distribution of electrolyte throughout the cathode structure, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining safety benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The cathode is designed as a composite material containing both cathode active material particles and solid inorganic electrolyte particles. This composite structure integrates the electrolyte directly into the cathode matrix, eliminating separate electrolyte handling steps and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If lithium metal is used without supporting framework, then energy density is maximized, but volume change becomes infinite causing mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The solid electrolyte forms a flexible yet mechanically stable interface layer between the lithium metal anode and cathode. This thin film layer accommodates volume changes of the lithium metal during cycling while maintaining structural integrity and preventing mechanical failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid electrolyte acts as a mechanical intermediary that buffers the infinite volume changes of lithium metal. It provides a compliant interface that absorbs expansion and contraction stresses, preventing mechanical degradation of the battery structure.
4Strength
If liquid electrolytes are used to reduce mechanical stress, then mechanical stability is improved, but fire risk and degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte is changed from liquid to solid state, fundamentally altering its physical parameters. This phase change eliminates the fire risk and degradation issues associated with liquid electrolytes while maintaining the ability to accommodate volume changes through elastic deformation of the solid material.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid inorganic electrolyte replaces the problematic liquid electrolyte with a more stable, non-flammable alternative. While solid electrolytes have different mechanical properties, they provide long-term stability and safety without the fire hazards of liquid electrolytes.
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
This method allows for the production of lithium-ion batteries with enhanced energy density, improved safety, and extended lifetime by utilizing inorganic solid electrolytes, achieving reliable adhesion and suppressing dendrite growth, while avoiding the limitations of liquid and polymer electrolytes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one layer containing lithium metal or lithium compound is manufactured by laser ablation deposition
Implementation Method 2
A method utilizing laser ablation deposition and mechanical compression to produce lithium-containing materials
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for producing electrochemical energy storage devices utilizing lithium and for producing materials used in the devices, such that the anode has lithium metal, inorganic solid electrolytes. Anode and cathode components are joined together by pressure and/or temperature utilized in the production. The lithium-metal layer is produced at least partly by a pulsed laser deposition method. The method can utilise various inorganic solid electrolytes produced by different methods and a roll-to-roll method as well as different ways to couple pressure and/or temperature to the component being processed.