Nanoconfined Electrolyte for Dendrite-Resistant Metal-Ion Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium and sodium-ion batteries face safety concerns due to dendrite formation, which can lead to internal short-circuits and combustion, while solid electrolytes offer safety but have low ionic conductivity, and liquid electrolytes provide conductivity but are prone to leakage and dendrite formation.
Innovation Solution
A nanoconfined metal-containing electrolyte with hollow nanostructures that are physically contacted and filled with a liquid metal-containing electrolyte, offering high conductivity and resistance to dendrite formation by confining the electrolyte within the nanostructures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid electrolytes are used, then safety and resistance to dendrite formation are improved, but ionic conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite hollow nanostructures comprising an outer shell and an inner core, where the outer shell provides mechanical strength and dendrite resistance while the inner core provides high ionic conductivity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to achieve both safety and high conductivity simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow nanostructures are designed with different properties in different regions: the outer shell has high mechanical modulus to prevent dendrite penetration, while the inner core has high ionic conductivity to enable fast ion transport. This spatial differentiation of properties allows the single electrolyte material to satisfy both contradictory requirements in different locations.
2Productivity
If liquid electrolytes are used, then ionic conductivity is improved, but dendrite formation and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The composite hollow nanostructure combines a mechanically strong outer shell with a liquid electrolyte-filled inner core, achieving both high ionic conductivity from the liquid and dendrite resistance from the solid shell, thus resolving the safety-conductivity trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer shell of the hollow nanostructure acts as a flexible but mechanically robust barrier that confines the liquid electrolyte while providing sufficient strength to resist dendrite penetration, enabling the liquid electrolyte to function safely within the nanostructured container.
3Reliability
If solid electrolytes are used, then resistance to dendrite formation is improved, but ionic conductivity at room temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure enables room-temperature operation by filling the inner core with liquid electrolyte that maintains high ionic conductivity at ambient temperatures, while the outer shell provides the necessary mechanical strength for safety, thus resolving the temperature-dependent conductivity issue.
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 nanoconfined electrolyte achieves high ionic conductivity while preventing dendrite formation, maintaining mechanical stability and preventing short-circuits, thus enhancing the safety and performance of metal-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
the enclosed nanostructures are in physical contact with each other to ensure an acceptable level of conductivity and pathway for ion transport
Implementation Method 2
A nanoconfined metal-containing electrolyte with hollow nanostructures that are physically contacted and filled with a liquid metal-containing electrolyte, offering high conductivity and resistance to dendrite formation by confining the electrolyte within the nanostructures
Data Source
AI summary
A nanoconfined metal-containing electrolyte comprising a layer of enclosed nanostructures in which each enclosed nanostructure contains a liquid metal-containing electrolyte, wherein said enclosed nanostructures are in physical contact with each other. Metal-ion batteries containing the nanoconfined electrolyte in contact with an anode and cathode of the battery are also described. Methods for producing the nanoconfined electrolyte are also described.