Na10MP2S12 Solid Electrolyte Room-Temperature Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sodium batteries are unable to operate at room temperature due to the lack of a sodium-conducting solid electrolyte with sufficient high conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A sodium-conductive solid-state electrolyte material with the composition Na10MP2S12, where M is Ge, Si, or Sn, is developed, exhibiting a conductivity of at least 1.0×10−5 S/cm at 300K and a tetragonal structure, which is used in electrochemical cells to facilitate room-temperature sodium ion transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional solid electrolyte materials are used, then the battery structure is simplified and safety is improved, but the conductivity at room temperature is insufficient for sodium ion transport

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidconductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the solid electrolyte by incorporating specific ratios of Na, P, S, and M (Ge, Si, or Sn) elements to form the Na10MP2S12 compound. This compositional parameter change enables the material to achieve high sodium ion conductivity (≥1.0×10^-5 S/cm) at room temperature while maintaining the solid-state structure for safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite solid electrolyte material by combining multiple elements (Na, P, S, and M where M=Ge/Si/Sn) into a new compound structure. This composite approach leverages the beneficial properties of each element to achieve both high conductivity and structural stability at room temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If liquid electrolyte systems are used, then high conductivity is achieved, but safety problems arise from volatile organic solvents

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconductivityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the liquid electrolyte system with a solid-state electrolyte material. This substitution eliminates the volatile organic solvents that cause safety problems while maintaining ionic conductivity through the solid crystal structure of Na10MP2S12

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The solid-state electrolyte creates an inert environment by eliminating flammable liquid components. The solid crystal structure of Na10MP2S12 provides an intrinsically safe medium for ion transport without the safety hazards associated with volatile organic solvents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Temperature

If known sodium battery electrolytes are used, then the battery can operate at elevated temperatures, but room temperature operation is not achievable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidconductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrolyte composition parameters to achieve room temperature operation. By optimizing the ratios of Na, P, S, and M elements in the Na10MP2S12 compound, the material achieves sufficient ionic conductivity at room temperature (≥1.0×10^-5 S/cm), enabling operation without elevated temperature requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 material enables high-performance room-temperature sodium ion conductivity, surpassing conventional sodium super ionic conductors and beta-alumina solid electrolytes, making it suitable for energy storage devices and potentially replacing lithium-ion batteries in high-technology and automotive applications.

Implementation Method 1

The electrolytes exhibit a high conductivity at room temperature... a conductivity of at least 1.0×10−5 S/cm at a temperature of 300K

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The raw material composition is heated to temperature effective to form a solid-state solution via elemental diffusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS9966629B2Sodium-conducting solid electrolyte

Publication Date: 2018.05.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A sodium-conductive solid-state electrolyte material includes a compound of the composition Na10MP2S12, wherein M is selected from Ge, Si, and Sn. The material may have a conductivity of at least 1.0×10−5 S/cm at a temperature of about 300K and may have a tetragonal microstructure, e.g., a skewed P1 crystallographic structure. Also provided are an electrochemical cell that includes the sodium-conductive solid-state electrolyte material and a method for producing the sodium-conductive solid electrolyte material via controlled thermal processing parameters.