Lithiated Carbon Lithium Anodes for Dendrite-Stable Sulfur Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium metal anodes in batteries face challenges such as dendrite formation, safety concerns, and low coulombic efficiency due to the reactivity with electrolytes, leading to short circuits and capacity fade, while sulfur cathodes suffer from polysulfide dissolution causing energy density loss.

Innovation Solution

A lithium metal anode coated with a lithiated carbon material, such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and a sulfurized carbon cathode with graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) as additives, along with a GNR-modified separator to prevent dendrite growth and polysulfide diffusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If lithium metal anodes are used to achieve high theoretical specific capacity, then energy density is improved, but dendrite formation occurs leading to safety issues and short battery life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific capacityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A carbon coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the lithium metal anode and the electrolyte. This carbon layer mediates the interaction by providing a stable interface that prevents direct contact between lithium and electrolyte, thereby suppressing dendrite formation while maintaining high capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The anode is designed as a composite structure combining lithium metal with a carbon coating layer. This composite material approach allows the system to benefit from the high capacity of lithium metal while the carbon component provides structural stability and dendrite suppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If lithium metal anodes are used to achieve high energy density, then energy storage capability is improved, but reactivity with electrolyte causes safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidreactivity with electrolyte

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The carbon coating serves as a protective intermediary that blocks the harmful interaction between lithium metal and electrolyte, eliminating reactivity issues while preserving the high energy density benefit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The carbon coating creates an inert environment around the lithium metal anode, preventing chemical reactions with the electrolyte by providing a chemically stable barrier interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Quantity of substance

If sulfur cathodes are used to achieve high energy density, then capacity is improved, but polysulfide dissolution causes energy density loss

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecapacityVSAvoidpolysulfide dissolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful polysulfide dissolution into a beneficial effect by using the dissolved polysulfides to form a protective coating on the carbon nanotube anode, which then prevents further polysulfide loss and stabilizes the battery performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 effectively suppresses dendrite formation and polysulfide dissolution, enhancing the cycling stability and energy density of lithium metal batteries, achieving high areal capacity and retention over 500 cycles with improved safety.

Implementation Method 1

A lithium metal anode coated with a lithiated carbon material, such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)... effectively suppresses dendrite formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier effect:

Implementation Method 2

a GNR-modified separator to prevent dendrite growth and polysulfide diffusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

a GNR-modified separator to prevent dendrite growth and polysulfide diffusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical blocking: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 4

Anodes, cathodes, and separators for batteries (electrochemical energy storage devices)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS12087933B2Anodes, cathodes, and separators for batteries and methods to make and use same

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 WILLIAM MARCH RICE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Anodes, cathodes, and separators for batteries (electrochemical energy storage devices). The anodes are Li metal anodes having lithiated carbon films (Li-MWCNT) (as dendrite suppressors and protective coatings for the Li metal anodes). The cathodes are sulfurized carbon cathodes. The separators are GNR-coated (or modified) separators. The invention includes each of these separately (as well as in combination both with each other and with other anodes, cathodes, and separators) and the methods of making each of these separately (and in combination). The invention further includes a battery that uses at least one of (a) the anode having a lithiated carbon film, (b) the sulfurized carbon cathode, and (c) the GNR-modified separator in the anode/cathode/separator arrangement. For instance, a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with the Li-MWCNT anode or a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with other anodes (such as a GCNT-Li anode).