Mixed Conductor for Stable Electrochemical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical devices, such as batteries, face performance deterioration due to the decomposition of organic liquid electrolytes and carbonaceous conductive materials by radicals involved in electrochemical reactions, which limits the simultaneous transfer of ions and electrons.
Innovation Solution
A mixed ionic and electronic conductor represented by the formula T x Va y A 1-x-y M z O 3-δ is developed, where T, A, and M include specific cations, and the conductor is prepared through a method involving the mixing and heat treatment of their precursors, enabling simultaneous ion and electron transfer while being stable to reaction by-products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organic liquid electrolyte and carbonaceous conductive material are used in electrodes, then ion conduction and electron conduction are achieved, but the materials are easily decomposed by radicals causing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mixed conductor as an intermediary material that mediates between ion conduction and electron conduction functions. This mixed conductor contains both ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity, eliminating the need for separate organic liquid electrolyte and carbonaceous conductive material components that are susceptible to radical decomposition. The mixed conductor acts as a stable mediator that performs both functions simultaneously with improved chemical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the previously separate functions of ion conduction (performed by organic liquid electrolyte) and electron conduction (performed by carbonaceous conductive material) into a single mixed conductor material. This consolidation eliminates the harmful interaction between radicals and the separate conductive materials, while maintaining both ionic and electronic conductivity within one chemically stable compound.
2Productivity
If separate ion conductor and electron conductor materials are used, then ion and electron transfer paths are established, but the device complexity increases and performance deteriorates due to material decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple conductive materials into a single mixed conductor that simultaneously provides both ionic and electronic conductivity. This merging simplifies the electrode structure by eliminating the need for separate ion conductor and electron conductor components, reducing device complexity while maintaining efficient ion and electron transfer pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixed conductor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an ion conductor and an electron conductor within a single material. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized materials for each conduction type, simplifying the overall device structure while improving performance through enhanced chemical stability.
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 mixed conductor enhances both ionic and electronic conductivity, providing improved chemical stability and reducing internal resistance in electrochemical devices, thus inhibiting deterioration and improving performance.
Implementation Method 1
a mixed ionic and electronic conductor that transfers ions and electrons simultaneously
Implementation Method 2
a mixed ionic and electronic conductor that transfers ions and electrons simultaneously
Implementation Method 3
heat treating the mixture to prepare the mixed conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
A mixed ionic and electronic conductor represented by Formula 1: TxVayA1-x-yMzO3-δ, wherein T includes at least one monovalent cation, A includes at least one of a monovalent cation, a divalent cation, and a trivalent cation, M includes at least one of a trivalent cation, a tetravalent cation, and a pentavalent cation, M is an element other than Ti and Zr, Va is a vacancy, δ is an oxygen vacancy, 0<x, y≤0.25, 0<z<1, and 0≤δ≤1.