Tuning Lattice Distortion in Solid Electrolytes for Ionic Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries face challenges in achieving high ionic conductivity due to insufficient understanding of the relationship between lattice distortions and ion mobility, which limits their performance and stability.
Innovation Solution
The method involves systematically tuning the degree of lattice distortion in anti-perovskite solid electrolytes through isovalent composition variation to enhance ionic mobility, using a correlation between distortion parameters and ionic conductivity to select superior material derivatives, such as Na3SI, which exhibits promising electrochemical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lattice distortion is increased to improve ionic conductivity, then ionic mobility is enhanced, but thermodynamic stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying composition parameters (isovalent substitution) to tune the degree of lattice distortion. This allows continuous adjustment of the distortion parameter to achieve optimal balance between ionic conductivity and thermodynamic stability, rather than using fixed compositional ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies through isovalent substitution, where elements are substituted in a way that maintains charge balance but alters lattice distortion. This creates composite-like effects within the solid electrolyte structure, combining multiple elemental contributions to achieve both high conductivity and stability.
2Reliability
If disorder is introduced to enhance ionic mobility, then ion transport is improved, but material stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to control the degree of disorder systematically. By adjusting compositional parameters through isovalent substitution, the patent fine-tunes the level of lattice distortion and disorder to maximize ionic mobility while maintaining sufficient material stability for practical applications.
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 approach allows for the identification of materials with improved ionic conductivity and stability, balancing mobility and thermodynamic stability, thus enhancing the performance of solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
Symmetry-lowering distortions of a solid's crystal structure are one such feature. These distortions include tilting/rotations of a crystal's polyhedral building blocks (octahedra, tetrahedra, etc.), variations in the length of the bonds that comprise these units, and a lowering of the crystalline (space group) symmetry
Implementation Method 2
This connection is significant, as a link between ionic conductivity and the presence of disorder in SEs is beginning to emerge in the literature. In one instance, disorder manifests as a complete absence of crystallinity, i.e., an amorphous or glassy phase
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are system and methods for manufacturing a solid-state electrolyte to be used in an electrochemical cell. The method can include forming a solid-state electrolyte from a material having a compositional property and a structural property, the material having been selected by: (i) providing material properties of a material, wherein the material properties comprise both compositional and structural information; (ii) calculating a first distortion parameter of a material, wherein the first distortion parameter represents the degree of lattice distortion of the material; (iii) determining an estimated ionic mobility value of the material using the one or more distortion parameters; (iv) varying the provided material properties using isovalent substitution and determining a second ionic mobility value from a second distortion parameter by repeating steps (i)-(iii); and (v) comparing the first and second ionic mobility values to select the superior material derivative.