Lithium Air Battery Seed Layer for High-Speed Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium air batteries face capacity reduction and degradation due to solid-state lithium oxide accumulation at the positive electrode, blocking oxygen diffusion and causing high resistance and voltage issues during charging and discharging.
Innovation Solution
A seed layer formed on the carbon positive electrode, comprising non-metal elements like lithium, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur, or their compounds, is introduced to enhance lithium ion conductivity and induce the growth of thin-film discharge products, improving reaction efficiency and reducing overvoltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If lithium air battery uses solid oxide formation during discharging, then oxygen reduction reaction occurs, but solid-state lithium oxide accumulates and blocks oxygen channel, reducing battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of lithium oxide from solid to dissolved state by selecting specific electrolyte solvents (glyme, carbonate, or carboxylate esters) that can dissolve lithium oxide. This parameter change prevents accumulation and blockage, maintaining both reaction efficiency and battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the dissolution and transport of lithium oxide. By using electrolytes with specific solvent properties, the patent enables lithium oxide to remain in solution rather than precipitating as solid blocks, thus maintaining oxygen channels open.
2Reliability
If lithium oxide is not sufficiently dissolved in organic solvent, then solid oxide accumulates at reaction site, but this blocks pores in carbon and impedes oxygen diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameter of lithium oxide in the electrolyte by selecting solvents with appropriate dielectric constants and coordination abilities. This ensures lithium oxide remains dissolved rather than precipitating, maintaining both reaction site stability and oxygen diffusion pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of the carbon electrode in conjunction with electrolyte that keeps lithium oxide dissolved. The porosity is maintained open by preventing solid oxide accumulation, allowing continuous oxygen diffusion through the electrode structure.
3Power
If solid-state lithium oxide blocks oxygen channel, then contact between oxygen and lithium ions is impeded, but this reduces battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase state of lithium oxide from solid to dissolved state in the electrolyte. This parameter change maintains electrochemical reaction activity while preventing the formation of blocking solid deposits, thereby preserving both power output and battery capacity.
4Power
If lithium oxide is not reduced during charging, then it exists as side-reaction deposit, but this causes high resistance and high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility and reactivity parameters of lithium oxide by using specific electrolyte compositions. This enables lithium oxide to remain in solution during charging and be properly reduced, preventing the formation of resistive side-reaction deposits and maintaining battery stability.
5Power
If electrolyte decomposes due to high voltage, then battery may be deteriorated, but this reduces lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrochemical stability window parameter of the electrolyte by selecting solvents with higher oxidation resistance. This allows the battery to operate at high voltages without electrolyte decomposition, maintaining both power output and lifespan.
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 seed layer increases battery capacity, enables high-speed charging and discharging, and extends battery lifespan by reducing overvoltage and electrolyte decomposition, thereby enhancing stability.
Implementation Method 1
the seed layer induces the growth of thin-film type discharge products to inhibit the occurrence of overvoltage
Implementation Method 2
the oxygen is reduced (oxygen reduction reaction: ORR) to generate oxygen negative ions
Implementation Method 3
the oxygen is evolved (oxygen evolution reaction: OER) to generate oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a lithium air battery and a manufacturing method thereof. A seed layer for inducing the growth of thin-film type discharge products is formed on a carbon positive electrode. The number of reaction regions that can react with lithium ions is increased, whereby high-speed discharging is possible. Since the seed layer induces the growth of the thin-film type discharge products, high-speed charging is also possible. In addition, since the seed layer induces the growth of the thin-film type discharge products, it is possible to increase the capacity of the battery. Furthermore, the occurrence of overvoltage in the lithium air battery is reduced, whereby the lifespan of the battery is increased while the stability of the battery is improved.