Lithium-Free Secondary Cell with Solid Electrolyte and Oxygen-Ion Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary cells, such as lithium-ion batteries and metal-air batteries, face environmental and health hazards due to the use of critical raw materials like lithium, and safety risks from flammable liquid electrolytes, while high-temperature secondary cells are unsuitable for consumer electronics and energy storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A secondary cell design utilizing a solid electrolyte for oxygen ion conduction with mixed ionic and electronic structures, such as ABO3 and CeMO2, operating at low temperatures (below 400°C) to eliminate lithium and reduce safety risks, using materials like Lanthanum La, Calcium Ca, and Gadolinium Gd, and incorporating insulating layers to prevent oxygen leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lithium-ion rechargeable batteries use liquid electrolytes, then ion conduction is achieved, but safety risks and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid, fundamentally altering the safety characteristics while maintaining ionic conductivity. The solid electrolyte eliminates flammability risks inherent in liquid electrolytes while enabling ion transport between electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrode structures combining metallic and ceramic phases (e.g., LiCoO3 with conductive additives) to achieve both ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between safety and functional performance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If lithium is used in secondary cells, then electrochemical energy storage is achieved, but environmental and health hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts lithium from the electrode materials and replaces it with alternative metals such as calcium, aluminum, or magnesium in the ABO3 perovskite structure. This maintains the electrochemical energy storage function while eliminating dependence on critical and environmentally hazardous lithium resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrode materials from lithium-based to lithium-free alternatives, fundamentally altering the material system to reduce environmental impact while preserving electrochemical functionality.
3Reliability
If high operating temperatures (above 500°C) are used in secondary cells, then ion conduction is improved, but corrosion and sensitivity to vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from high (above 500°C) to moderate (below 400°C) by employing solid electrolytes with lower activation energies for ion conduction and stable ceramic electrode materials that maintain functionality at reduced temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite electrode structures with ceramic phases (ABO3 perovskites) combined with conductive additives to achieve sufficient electronic conductivity at lower operating temperatures, eliminating the need for high-temperature operation and associated corrosion problems.
4Reliability
If solid electrolytes are used instead of liquid electrolytes, then safety and non-flammability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery into distinct functional layers (solid electrolyte layer, electrode layers, current collectors) that can be manufactured separately and assembled, simplifying the production of solid-state batteries while maintaining safety advantages.
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 provides a lithium-free, safer secondary cell that operates at low temperatures, reducing environmental and health hazards, and prevents self-discharge and gas generation, suitable for consumer electronics and energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a solid electrolyte to conduct oxygen ions
Implementation Method 2
the positive electrode and the negative electrode comprise a mixed ionic and electronic structure for conducting oxygen ions and electrons
Implementation Method 3
The mixed ionic and electronic structure comprises an ABO3 structure, wherein the A site corresponds to a first chemical element with a first covalent radius, wherein the B site corresponds to a second chemical element with a second covalent radius; and/or a CeMO2 structure
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary cell is provided. The secondary cell comprises a solid electrolyte to conduct oxygen ions, a positive electrode configured to be in contact with the solid electrolyte, and a negative electrode configured to be in contact with the solid electrolyte. The positive and the negative electrode comprise a mixed ionic and electronic structure for conducting oxygen ions and electrons. The mixed ionic and electronic structure comprises an ABO3 structure, wherein the A site corresponds to a first chemical element with a first covalent radius, wherein the B site corresponds to a second chemical element with a second covalent radius; and/or a CeMO2 structure, wherein the Ce is Cerium and M is a metal.