Microporous Solid Electrolyte Membrane for Lithium Dendrite Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The non-uniform deposition of lithium ions in solid-state lithium secondary batteries leads to the formation of lithium dendrites, which can penetrate through the electrolyte layer causing a short circuit, posing safety risks even without the risk of fire or explosion.
Innovation Solution
A solid electrolyte membrane with micropores on one surface that do not penetrate to the opposite surface, combined with electronic insulators on the other surface, to induce lithium ion deposition within the micropores and prevent dendrite growth and penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium ions are deposited in solid-state lithium secondary batteries, then battery capacity increases, but non-uniform deposition causes lithium dendrites to form and penetrate the electrolyte layer causing short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces micropores into the solid electrolyte membrane to create preferential deposition sites for lithium ions. These micropores act as nucleation centers that guide uniform lithium ion deposition, preventing dendrite formation while maintaining high capacity. The porous structure transforms the deposition behavior from non-uniform to controlled and uniform.
Solution Approach 2:
The micropores serve as an intermediary structure between the electrodes and the bulk electrolyte. They mediate the lithium ion deposition process by providing controlled access points that distribute ion flux uniformly across the electrolyte interface, thereby preventing direct dendrite penetration while enabling high capacity deposition.
2Reliability
If the solid electrolyte membrane is made thicker to prevent dendrite penetration, then safety improves, but lithium ion transport resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microporous structure provides high-surface-area pathways for lithium ion transport. The micropores create numerous short transport paths that collectively reduce the effective resistance while the overall membrane thickness maintains dendrite penetration resistance. This decouples the trade-off between safety and ionic conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from considering only the one-dimensional thickness parameter to utilizing the three-dimensional micropore network. The micropores introduce additional spatial dimensions for ion transport, allowing ions to navigate through a complex 3D pathway that is both short and numerous, thereby reducing resistance without compromising safety.
3Reliability
If micropores are introduced to guide lithium ion deposition, then short circuit risk reduces, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls micropore parameters (size, density, depth, distribution) to optimize the balance between safety and manufacturability. By establishing specific parameter ranges for micropore characteristics, the invention makes the complex structure controllable and reproducible in manufacturing while maintaining effective short circuit prevention.
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 proposed structure significantly reduces the risk of short circuits by guiding lithium ion deposition and growth within controlled micropores, enhancing battery safety.
Implementation Method 1
the first surface is provided with several micropores that extend into an interior of the solid electrolyte membrane without penetrating to the second surface... to induce lithium ion deposition within the micropores
Data Source
AI summary
The solid electrolyte membrane in this application has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the first surface is provided with several micropores that extend into an interior of the solid electrolyte membrane without penetrating to the second surface. This application further provides a solid-state lithium metal battery, battery module, battery pack, and apparatus containing such solid electrolyte membrane. In the solid electrolyte membrane provided in this application, the micropores provided on the first surface of the solid electrolyte membrane do not penetrate to the opposite second surface, so that lithium ions can be induced to deposit in the micropores. This reduces the risk of lithium dendrites growing or even penetrating through the solid electrolyte membrane due to non-uniform deposition of lithium ions at other locations, thereby preventing short circuit of a solid-state lithium metal battery.